Perfecting Holiness in the Fear of the Lord (2Cor.7:1)

The word used for cleansing in the Greek is a Levitical, temple word. The priests were very fearful of the Lord.

They knew the fear of the Lord. The New Testament Christians also know this. For instance, they understood what it meant when the Bible said “God is a consuming fire”. They knew it when the Bible said that God will remove the candlestick. God is love but He also put an end to Ananias and Sapphira, as soon as they sinned. It created fear in the people (Acts 5:10,11).

Sadly, today, there is a lack of emphasis on the fear of the Lord. People are afraid that if we speak about a fearful God, people will run away. But, the problem is people are already away; and it makes less difference if we don’t tell them that they must repent from their sins and step into the path of holiness.

The main problem in the world is sin. It is a problem because God is holy.

Holiness is perfected in the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord includes the love of God. It is a reverential fear. It is not being terrified. But, we need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling “knowing the terror of the Lord.”

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. (Act 9:31 NKJ)
Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. (Act 19:16-17 NKJ)
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness (2Pe 3:10-11 NKJ)

Blessings of the Fear of the Lord

1. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him

The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. (Psa 147:11 NKJ)

2. Fear of the Lord is Joyful

Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. (Psa 2:11 NKJ)

3. Fear of the Lord is Clean

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. (Psa 19:9 NKJ)

4. Fear of the Lord is Brings Wisdom

The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. (Psa 25:14 NKJ)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever. (Psa 111:10 NKJ)
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. (Pro 15:33 NKJ)

5. Fear of the Lord Brings Deliverance

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.
(Psa 33:18-19 NKJ)
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. (Psa 34:7 NKJ)

6. Fear of the Lord Brings Sufficiency

Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. (Psa 34:9-10 NKJ)
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life. (Pro 22:4 NKJ)

7. Fear of the Lord Ensures Physical Health and Long Life

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.(Pro 3:7-8 NKJ)
The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. (Pro 10:27 NKJ)
The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. (Pro 19:23 NKJ)

8. Fear of the Lord purifies us

In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. (Pro 16:6 NKJ)
--Atonement Provided by Christ
--We depart from evil

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; (Isa 11:2-3 NKJ)

Fear of the Lord must be Taught

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD (Psa 34:11 NKJ)
Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name (Psa 86:11 NKJ)

It is not the spirit of worldy fear; but of godly fear.

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom 8:15-16 NKJ)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2Ti 1:7 NKJ)

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (1Pe 3:15-16 NKJ)
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested." (Rev 15:4 NKJ)