Generally, when we talk about fear, we have in mind the act of being afraid of something. I am afraid of spiders. I loathe them, killing every one that comes close. If you have one for a pet, well, I have doubts about your sensibilities. Just to think of such gives me goose bumps.
However, there is a fear that has a different meaning, and, it is commanded by God. In Psalm 128:1 we read: “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.” Notice that this fear, rather than being panic of any sort, is simply having respect for and awe of God. Those who have such fear will always be found walking in the way of the Lord. One cannot have such respect for God and fail to walk in His ways. This is one of the major problems of denominationalism. Those trapped therein have not been taught to have a proper fear (respect) for God. Did not the wise man Solomon say, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)? Question: Is one showing proper honor and respect for God and walking in His way when he calls himself after some man or some system? Is one walking in the ways of God when he deliberately rejects anything that God has commanded as it relates to one receiving salvation from past sins? Are you walking in the fear of the Lord?
[To denominate something or to speak of a denominator as in fractions pertains to a part of the whole. Denominationalism may be parts of the whole manmade religious community, but the church about which anyone can read in the New Testament is not a part of anything, it is the whole – the one, true church that Jesus Christ promised to build (Matthew 16:18) and for which He died to establish, over which He is Head and for which one day He will return to retrieve and take back with Him to heaven forever. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
