Proper Fear of the Lord
The following is from John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress”. This definition of a proper fear of the Lord is excerpted from a discourse that takes place between “Christian” and “Hopeful” as they draw near to the celestial gate of the City of God.
I find Christian’s definition of a proper fear of the Lord to be Biblically accurate and compelling for any true believer who is desirous of a right and proper understanding of the wonder of the holiness and glory and majesty of our Sovereign God. I think it is worthy of our noting that John Bunyan scribed this definition while imprisoned in a cold damp English prison cell, incarcerated for no other reason than that he refused to deny his Lord — I Peter 3:15-17. It is only as we come to have such an ever present, proper, spiritually healthy fear of the Lord that we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to have an ever increasing comprehension of the wonder of who He is and His infinite worthiness of our love and devotion each day of His good gift of life. Such fear will produce an ever increasing desire for and anticipation of His blessed sanctifying faithfulness in your life. Read Christian’s definition soberly, thoughtfully, and meditatively, giving consideration to the extent to which your life exemplifies this righteous good fear of the Lord.
“True or right fear is discovered by three things. One, by its rise. It is caused by saving conviction of sin. Two, it driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for salvation. Three, it begetteth and continueth in the soul, a great reverence for God, His word and ways, keeping it tender and making it afraid to turn from that to the right hand or the left; to anything that may dishonor God; break His peace; grieve the Spirit, or cause the enemy to speak reproach.”
Proverbs 9:10 (see also Exodus 20:20; Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7;8:13; Ecclesiastes 12:13)