Reflecting on Luke 12:1-12“I will show you whom you should fear…” (Luke 12:5)
The “fear of the Lord” is a phrase many people wonder about.
For many, it is a word that speaks of terror, fright, horror, panic.
Some christians actually use it this way, to threaten and control others.
I personally think we should not use the English word ‘fear’.
If there is a better word, let’s use it: respect with wonder and love.
Jesus is warning people about misunderstanding and misrepresenting God.
Jesus stresses that the God of love does NOT need to be feared.
“Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 11:7)
The words ‘do not be afraid’ appear more often in the NT than ‘fear’.
Jesus raises the warning of fear against the religious leaders.
They replaced the love of God with the fear of God, to frighten others.
By replacing God’s love with fear, they put themselves against God.
This is the sin that ought to frighten us, and cause christians to tremble.
God will judge those who resist God’s love, and refuse to show it to others.
Only love survives the final judgement: honour/revere/respect God by living in it!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, forgive me if I in any way portray God more as something to be feared than as Someone that loves, Someone to be loved! Use me to convince people they do NOT need to be afraid of the God that values them so much more than they realize.