XIX. Страх Божий

“Fear more the One who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). “I will tell you whom to fear: fear the one who, if killed, can cast into Gehenna: so, I tell you, fear him” (Luke 12:5). “And if you call Him Father, who impartially judges everyone according to their works, then spend the time of your pilgrimage with fear, knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from the futile life handed down to you from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:17-19). “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). “It’s scary to fall into the hands of the living God!” (Heb. 10:31). “Let all the earth fear the Lord, let all who live in the world tremble before Him” (Ps. 32:8). “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord” (Ps. 110:10). “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he will greatly love His commandments” (Ps. 111:1). “What kind of person fears the Lord? He will give Him a law for the way that pleases Him. His soul will dwell among good things, and his seed will inherit the earth” (Ps. 24:12–13). “Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice [before Him] with trembling” (Ps. 2:11). “How great is the abundance of your goodness, O Lord, which you have hidden for those who fear you” (Ps. 30:20). “Behold, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear Him...those who trust in His mercy, to deliver their souls from death, and to feed them in time of famine” (Ps. 32:18, 19). “The Angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear Him and will deliver them” (Ps. 33:8). “Fear the Lord, [all] His saints, for those who fear Him have no shortage” (Ps. 33:10). “Thou hast given a sign to those who fear Thee, that they may flee from... the bow” (Ps. 59:6). “Even so, His salvation is near to those who fear Him” (Ps. 84:10). “The Lord has established His mercy on those who fear Him” (Ps. 102:11). “The mercy of the Lord from everlasting to everlasting is upon those who fear Him” (Ps. 102:17). “Those who fear the Lord trusted in the Lord: He is their helper and protector” (Ps. 113:19). “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways!” (Ps. 127:1). “He will do the will of those who fear Him, and He will hear their prayer, and He will save them” (Ps. 145:19). Nothing can compare to having the fear of God in you (Discourse 3 on Philippians). Throughout all life we ​​must have fear (Conversation 54 on the Evangelist Matthew, chapter 15). Fear excites and leads to repentance (Conversation 11 on the Evangelist Matthew, chapter 3). If there were no fear, everything would perish (Conversation 60 on the Evangelist John, chapter 10). Without the fear of God it is impossible to evade evil, and nothing brings sinners to repentance like the fear of God. The fear of God is born from consideration of God’s properties, namely: 1) That God is omnipresent and leading every deed, word and thought. 2) That God hates all lawlessness and all evil. 3) That God is a righteous Judge and will reward everyone according to their deeds. 4) That even the ranks of angels tremble at Him. 5) That God holds the whole world in His hand. 6) That God, in the blink of an eye, can destroy a sinner with righteous judgment while committing a sin. 7) That God has prepared eternal fire for sin, etc. You might be interested in: