Do you fear the Lord? If you are a Christian, you likely would say, “Yes!” Were you asked, “How do you show your fear of the Lord?” What answer would you give? Would that answer be based on the church? Good deeds? The way you treat people? Or would it be based on all that?
In Leviticus 25:17, Moses wrote, “So you shall not wrong one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the LORD your God” (NASB), or, “Show your fear of the Lord by not taking advantage of each other. I am the Lord your God” (NLT). Jesus said according to Luke 6:31-33, "And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way. And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same” (NASB). Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:8, 9, 11—“On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud, and that your brethren. Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? ... And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God” (NASB).
Are you dating? Be fair, kind, and considerate. Are you married? Be an exceptional wife or an exceptional husband. Are you a parent? Be an exceptional parent. Also be an exceptional neighbor, an exceptional boss, an exceptional employee, an exceptional citizen, etc. There always has been a link between being godly and having kind, responsible, serving relationships.
Why is that always true? Because we are exceptional? No! Because everyone we know is wonderful? No! Because our Lord is God? YES!!! Our fear of God determines how we treat people—especially those closest to us!
Easy? No! However, that is how the righteous who are sanctified by Christ act! Fear of God changes the way we treat people!
Link to other Writings of David Chadwell