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Seeking Things Above


If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Col 3:1)

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2008-07-02

Scripture Thursday - Fear and Rejoicing


Psalms 2:11 (ESV)
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
If God is love, why would I need to serve Him with fear or rejoice in Him with trembling?  This does not sound like love.  I certainly don't want my children being obedient to me only because of fear?

The context of this verse is God looking at an evil world with evil rulers.  God sends his Son, Jesus Christ, to establish a new kingdom and the world's rulers need to recognize the Son as their ruler, or face God's wrath.

Since I'm not a king, does this verse apply to me?

You bet it does.  In my sinful nature, who is "the man"?  I'm the man.  It's about me.  Even if I am a generous man, it is about my causes.  In my sinful nature, it's not about God.

In my sinful nature (that I struggle with daily):

God is there.  Jesus is there.  However, I take both for granted, because I am "the man."  God loves me because that is who He is. He has to love me, regardless of my choices and my lifestyle.  That's why he died for me.  Because he loves me and of course, a loving God, will save me.

Now, I may not really be so bold in my minimizing who God really is, as in my sarcastic dialog above.  However, do I really sit back and meditate on how awesome, gigantic, inspiring, perfect and powerful God really is?

I have no right to any grace and mercy from God.  I shun him every time I have a selfish thought, every time I have a jealous impulse, every time my eyes linger on a provocative billboard, every time I speak a word that breaks down someone rather than edify them, every time I make myself and my cause the main thing. 

Yes, God has given me grace and mercy by the sacrificing of His own Son.  But I don't deserve it.  Everyday, I need to hold onto that grace and mercy with fear and trembling - and rejoice!

Scripture Thursday Participants
1. GPARTHA
2. vikki at Livin\' the Life
3. carol
4. mel avila alarilla

Learn more about Scripture Thursday here.

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I didn't realize the context of the verse. It is one of those verses you hear so often that you think you know the context. This would be a good verse to pray for all our leaders, good, bad, evil or not.

Tony said...

Carol - Very true. I wrote a post a couple of months ago about praying for our leaders even if you do not agree with their ideology or politics. However, this verse does add more conviction to that cause.

Anonymous said...

Hi Tony,
As Proverbs said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Fear here is reverential fear that keeps us away from sinning since we know that it will offend Him. Thanks for the very informative post. God bless.

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