Daily Reflections · Hope When Life Hurts (Part 16) · 1 Peter 1:17; Romans 14:12
Walking in Fear
Another secret of living a godly life in the midst of a godless world involves the way we conduct ourselves hour by hour through the day. Peter says we are to do it “in fear.” We do not hear much about the fear of God today. We need a better perspective. Perhaps the word reverence gives us a clearer picture of what Peter means here. In fact, the NIV translates this phrase “live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.”
The point is, if we are going to address God as Father, then we should conduct ourselves on earth in a way that reflects our reverence for Him as our Father. Also, if you are going to address Him as your Father, if you are going to have a one-on-one relationship with Him in fellowship and in prayer, then conduct yourself as one who knows that you will someday have to account to Him for your life. Why?
Each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 14:12
When we die, we will be brought before the Judgment Seat of Christ where we will independently account for our lives before God. He will see us as our lives pass in review, and He will reward us accordingly. It is not a judgment to see if we get into heaven.
As we know, we cannot lose our salvation. We can, however, lose our reward. At the judgment seat, Christ will judge our works and determine whether they were done in the power of the Spirit or in the energy of the flesh. We will all give an account of the deeds we have done in this life, and God will “test the quality of each man’s work” (1 Cor. 3:13).
That thought, alone, will instill a big, healthy dose of the fear of God in us. We must walk in reverence.
- God knows whether our noble acts and deeds are done out of pride and self-aggrandizement or whether they have been carried out in the power of the Spirit.
- He knows whether our inner, unseen thoughts and motives match our external words and works.
- He is pleased when our lives honour Him inside and out.
This Christian life is a tough fight. But with the pride and pleasures of the cosmos so alluring, how can weaklings like us run the race without being disqualified and forfeiting our reward? How can we win the battle over an enemy we cannot see? The solution to that problem rests within our minds.
Question for Reflection
Do you live in reverence for God? Reflect on this.
Shalom & Maranatha!
Hillcross Ministry