Obey God

Today I have been reading the Bible, the Holy Book. Again and again it says, "Fear God." It says, "The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom." "Fear the Lord and depart from evil. " "Fear God and keep His commandments." "He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great."

Before I knew the words of God, I thought that I should fear Satan. I thought I should fear wicked men, and fear sickness and death. But now that I have come to know the teaching in the Bible, I know that God is the only One Whom I should fear. Sometimes people say, "Why should we fear God? He is merciful and good. He loves us. He will not bring harm to anyone. Let us fear the devil and evil spirits because they are always trying to hurt us. They bring sickness and death into our homes."

But friend, let us know about this: It is true that God is good and that He loves us. But He is also holy and just. He has all power in heaven and earth. He is the Creator of all things. Nothing can move or breathe without Him. He not only has the power to create, but the power to destroy. The Bible tells us of the terrible judgments that came to people who did not obey Him. Achan was stoned to death because he stole goods and hid them in his tent. Korah was swallowed up by an earthquake because he rebelled against God's servant, Moses. Fiery serpents were sent out to destroy people who wanted to follow their own desires rather than to obey God. God will never be merciful to evil ways. God hates sin. He will punish evil. He has prepared a place of fire into which Satan and his spirits will be thrown. This terrible place will also receive the people who follow the ways of Satan and evil.

Perhaps you are saying, "If God is loving, must I now live in fear of Him?" When you fear God, you fear and honour the One Who has power over all the earth, over all men, and over evil spirits. But if you fear spirits, they will harm you anyway. If you fear sickness and death, they are sure to come regardless. But when you fear God, He protects you. He does not let your soul perish. He controls all other things that may come to you. When you fear God, you obey Him, love Him, hear His words, follow Him. You hate evil ways. You refuse the talk of evil spirits. God showed us His love by sending His own Son into the world to suffer our sin punishment on the cross. This Saviour is Jesus Christ, and of Him God says, "This is My beloved Son, hear Him." Will you fear God only? Will you hear and trust Jesus Christ? He is the only One Who can bring you salvation. (When you truly fear God and hear Him, you will be free from all other fears, for you will know that God Himself is your Friend, and He protects you.)