Verse of the Day (August 9, 2020) #BMSeminary – Happy Lord’s Day! {vv. 4-7} This short saying of Jesus is a great example of his profound wisdom as God’s Son. At first glance it appears schizophrenic, with its simultaneous command to fear God (vv. 4–5) and to not fear him (vv. 6–7). We have a sinful yet natural tendency to be afraid of those who have the power to end our lives (v. 4). Jesus shows how foolish this fear is, because the end of our physical lives is not the end of us; we should rather fear our Creator God, who has the power and authority to render ultimate judgment not just on our bodies but also on our souls (v. 5). Understanding God’s place as sovereign Judge is essential to understanding his character and the gospel message (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim. 4:1; 1 Pet. 4:5). Yet the kind of “fear” we should have of God should not be compared to our fear of other humans. Rather, our fear of God should be one of worshipful reverence because God knows us intimately and cares for us above all his creatures (Luke 12:7). This is the kind of fear that Jesus himself exhibits toward his heavenly Father (see Isa. 11:2–3). If we think of God as grandfatherly, with no role as sovereign Judge, then our thinking must be corrected. But if we hold God at a distance out of fear, then we should learn to embrace in worshipful reverence his Fatherly care and love for us. [Gospel Transformation Study Bible]
Verse of the Day (August 9, 2020) #BMSeminary – Happy Lord’s Day! {vv. 4-7} This short saying of Jesus is a great example of his profound wisdom as God’s Son. At first glance it appears schizophrenic, with its simultaneous command to fear God (vv. 4–5) and to not fear him (vv. 6–7). We have a sinful yet natural tendency to be afraid of those who have the power to end our lives (v. 4). Jesus shows how foolish this fear is, because the end of our physical lives is not the end of us; we should rather fear our Creator God, who has the power and authority to render ultimate judgment not just on our bodies but also on our souls (v. 5). Understanding God’s place as sovereign Judge is essential to understanding his character and the gospel message (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim. 4:1; 1 Pet. 4:5). Yet the kind of “fear” we should have of God should not be compared to our fear of other humans. Rather, our fear of God should be one of worshipful reverence because God knows us intimately and cares for us above all his creatures (Luke 12:7). This is the kind of fear that Jesus himself exhibits toward his heavenly Father (see Isa. 11:2–3). If we think of God as grandfatherly, with no role as sovereign Judge, then our thinking must be corrected. But if we hold God at a distance out of fear, then we should learn to embrace in worshipful reverence his Fatherly care and love for us. [Gospel Transformation Study Bible]
Baptist Ministerial Seminary 