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The Story: We don’t hear much about the fear of God these days, but here is Peter, writing to those hard-pressed with trials, urging them to get their minds in gear to pursue holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7.1). God, he reminds them, is continually watching over us, and He “judges impartially” what He sees. We know from the writer of Hebrews (12.3-11) that God takes seriously our call to holiness, so seriously, in fact, that He is able and willing even to bring discipline against us in order to move us along in the pursuit of righteousness. Peter’s readers were a perfect example of how this works. God, seeing their earnestness, graciously allowed them to undergo hardship and suffering, to try their faith and to lead them even more to turn their backs on the ways of the flesh, so that they could, in the fear of the Lord, press on in holiness. They were bought with a precious prices, Peter reminded them; for His sake Who redeemed them, they must persevere in the fear of God to become what God has called them to be.
The Structure: Salvation is not by good works, but unto them. They who have truly been redeemed through Jesus Christ are citizens of a new realm of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14.17, 18). They leave their old life behind and, regardless of the obstacles, take up the challenge of growing into Christ-likeness. This is how we can know who are truly saved and who are not. Merely confessing faith in Jesus and waiting for Him to bless can offer no true assurance of salvation. The truly saved lay aside their old life, set their minds on Christ – reigning and returning – and bring their lives into conformity with His holy and righteous and good example. This is how the restoring power of the Gospel makes all things new in our lives, cultures, and times.
Do you think the fear of God is emphasized as much as it should be? Why or why not? How does the fear of God factor into your own relationship with the Lord?
Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “This is the Gospel: 1 Peter 1.12-25,” simply click here..
T. M. Moore
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.