EmmDev 2016-08-23 [Treasure in Clay Pots (2Cor)] Do you know?

Fear?

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others.      (2Corinthians5:11)

If I were Paul, I would have written this differently:

• "Since, then, we know the love of God, we try to persuade others..."
• "Since, then, we know what it is to be forgiven, we try to persuade others..."
• "Since, then, we know what Jesus did on the cross, we try to persuade others..."
• "Since, then, we know what God did to make us His children, we try to persuade others..."

I would have gone for anything but "we know what it is to fear the Lord."
But Paul uses this word "fear".
We'd like to translate it with "reverence", but the Greek word "fobos" doesn't let us tame it too much. There is always something primal and instinctive about "fobos". When we talk about 'fearing' the Lord, we can't make it too sophisticated by talking about respect and reverence... This word "fobos" makes sure that we never tame or domesticate or limit God.

In his "Narnia Chronicles", CS Lewis, when speaking of the Christ-figure in his story who is portrayed by Aslan the Lion says: "Aslan is not a tame lion... Is He safe? No, He is not safe, but He is good."

In the verses that follow, Paul will reveal an incredible Jesus. He will show how, in His one death, Jesus died the deaths of every human being. This feat is one of immense strength, incomprehensible love and immeasurable sacrifice. You don't love this God like a friend, you love Him with awe, wonder, reverence and even fear:

• Fear of what it would be like if He hadn't done what He had done.
• Fear of the seriousness of the consequences of our brokenness.
• Fear at the realisation of God's incredible and consistent justice that Jesus died in our place rather than simply sweeping our sin under the carpet.
• Fear at the power and determination of God's love in stark contrast to our unfaithfulness.
• Fear of letting Him go. As big and awesome as He is - we don't want to let Him go.

We're like Moses, hidden in the cleft of the rock, for the sake of his life, so that he can simply see the back of God's glory as He passes by and what does Moses hear?? "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin."

Or the old spiritual song:
"Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh.... it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?"

This is what it is to fear the Lord.

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