“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them…. But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it…..
Acts 4:32, 5:1-5
“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Prov.14:26
“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken , let us show gratitude , by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.” Heb.12:28
The Scriptures are replete with examples of man taking the nature of God and His holiness far too casually. In contemporary evangelical churches we are no exception. The familiarity we boast we have with the Lord deceives us into thinking that God (“old buddy, old pal”) could even wink at sin. Ananias and Sapphira evidently thought so. A fatal error.
Achan had been present during the miraculous conquest of Jericho. “But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully ,in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan….,took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel. As a consequence of Achan’s disobedience the battle for Ai was lost, and 36 soldiers lost their lives. (See Joshua 7). The sad thing is Achan’s family, along with his booty, were stoned and burned with him. The valley of Achor is a sad monument to a man that had no fear of God.
When the Ark of God (which is called by the Name, the very name of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned above the cherubim) was brought from the house of Abinadab. It was then placed on a new cart to carry it to Jerusalem. But the ark was not moved as prescribed by Scripture. So when the cart was jostled on some rough road, Uzzah reached for the ark to steady it, “and God struck him down there for his irreverence , and he died there by the ark of God.” (2 Sam.6:6-7)
The fear of the Lord is awe-filled reverence and profound respect for His Word. (Deu.17:19). The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate .” (Prov.8:13) The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. (Ps.19:9).
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He shows them His covenant. (Ps.25:14). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge .(Prov.1:7) It is the key to knowing God. It is murder for the tendency of man to self-deification.
C.S. Lewis has an unforgettable way of teaching his readers about the fear of the Lord. God knows it is a lesson we need to learn repeatedly. I quote at length this passage from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe:
“Who is Aslan? Asked Susan.
“Aslan? “ said Mr. Beaver, “Why don’t you know? He’s the King. He’s the Lord of the whole wood….You’ll understand when you him.”
“But shall we see him?” Asked Susan.
“Why, Daughter of Eve, that’s what I brought you here for. I’m to lead you where you shall meet him,” said Mr. Beaver.
“Is—is he a man?”asked Lucy.
“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion—the Lion, the great Lion.”
“Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and make no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe?! ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
For our God is a consuming fire. “But he’s good!. He’s the King, I tell you.
Questions to Think About
1.In what ways do we modern believers tend to take God’s holiness too casually in daily lives?
2. Why do we sometimes feel the need to “perform” or look more spiritual than we actually are in front of other believers? How does the realization that we are “lying to the Holy Spirit” (not just people ) change we view our private integrity?
3. The stories of Achan and Uzzah demonstrate that one person’s lack of fear of God can have devastating effects on their family or community. How does this challenge the modern idea that “my sin doesn’t hurt anyone but me”? How can a healthy “fear of the Lord” actually serve as a protection (a “fountain of life”) for those around us?
4. Why is it vital to believe that is “not safe” (powerful, holy, a consuming fire) while simultaneously believing He is “good”? How does your prayer life change when you approach God with “reverence and awe” rather than just looking for a comfortable or safe experience?
5, Is there an area of your where you have become “comfortable “ with something God hates?
Acts 4:32, 5:1-5
“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Prov.14:26
“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken , let us show gratitude , by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.” Heb.12:28
The Scriptures are replete with examples of man taking the nature of God and His holiness far too casually. In contemporary evangelical churches we are no exception. The familiarity we boast we have with the Lord deceives us into thinking that God (“old buddy, old pal”) could even wink at sin. Ananias and Sapphira evidently thought so. A fatal error.
Achan had been present during the miraculous conquest of Jericho. “But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully ,in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan….,took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel. As a consequence of Achan’s disobedience the battle for Ai was lost, and 36 soldiers lost their lives. (See Joshua 7). The sad thing is Achan’s family, along with his booty, were stoned and burned with him. The valley of Achor is a sad monument to a man that had no fear of God.
When the Ark of God (which is called by the Name, the very name of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned above the cherubim) was brought from the house of Abinadab. It was then placed on a new cart to carry it to Jerusalem. But the ark was not moved as prescribed by Scripture. So when the cart was jostled on some rough road, Uzzah reached for the ark to steady it, “and God struck him down there for his irreverence , and he died there by the ark of God.” (2 Sam.6:6-7)
The fear of the Lord is awe-filled reverence and profound respect for His Word. (Deu.17:19). The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate .” (Prov.8:13) The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. (Ps.19:9).
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He shows them His covenant. (Ps.25:14). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge .(Prov.1:7) It is the key to knowing God. It is murder for the tendency of man to self-deification.
C.S. Lewis has an unforgettable way of teaching his readers about the fear of the Lord. God knows it is a lesson we need to learn repeatedly. I quote at length this passage from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe:
“Who is Aslan? Asked Susan.
“Aslan? “ said Mr. Beaver, “Why don’t you know? He’s the King. He’s the Lord of the whole wood….You’ll understand when you him.”
“But shall we see him?” Asked Susan.
“Why, Daughter of Eve, that’s what I brought you here for. I’m to lead you where you shall meet him,” said Mr. Beaver.
“Is—is he a man?”asked Lucy.
“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion—the Lion, the great Lion.”
“Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and make no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe?! ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
For our God is a consuming fire. “But he’s good!. He’s the King, I tell you.
Questions to Think About
1.In what ways do we modern believers tend to take God’s holiness too casually in daily lives?
2. Why do we sometimes feel the need to “perform” or look more spiritual than we actually are in front of other believers? How does the realization that we are “lying to the Holy Spirit” (not just people ) change we view our private integrity?
3. The stories of Achan and Uzzah demonstrate that one person’s lack of fear of God can have devastating effects on their family or community. How does this challenge the modern idea that “my sin doesn’t hurt anyone but me”? How can a healthy “fear of the Lord” actually serve as a protection (a “fountain of life”) for those around us?
4. Why is it vital to believe that is “not safe” (powerful, holy, a consuming fire) while simultaneously believing He is “good”? How does your prayer life change when you approach God with “reverence and awe” rather than just looking for a comfortable or safe experience?
5, Is there an area of your where you have become “comfortable “ with something God hates?