We began in Hebrews 10 and 12 where Paul explained the things that took place at Mount Sinai. Now here we are, in Exodus 20, right at the Mount. Notice the context, which we will pick up right after God gave the Ten Commandments, the law that defines what is evil and what is good.
That is why God is so concerned about us fearing Him - if we fear Him we will depart from sin. Brethren, fearing God is an essential element of godly character. Developing this vital attribute will bring about abundant blessings in our lives. It is a part of the very process of salvation because we must choose to fear God in the face of all the carnal fears there are before us. And we find in I John 4 about how to cast out fear.
But even this love does not cast out all fear. There is a fear that we should have. We should fear electricity; we should fear tempting God. There are things of which we should still be afraid. God is not concerned about these, but He is concerned that we not lose our fear of the lake of fire. We must not lose our concern or understanding that in Him are the issues of life - and that God alone can revoke the penalty of sin, which is death in that lake of fire.
So we have found that godly fear is a choice; it is morality; and it is departure from evil. If we do not fear God we will not be humble. And, if we are not humble, we will not submit to His way. The fear of the Lord expresses itself in submission to His way and submission to His way is the substance of true religion - without which one will not have clear direction and purpose for one's life. The issues of ethics and morality, therefore, will become blurred and vague. So the fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, of understanding, and of wisdom.
