Fear - A Way of Escape

Did you know that it is impossible to fear something that will not affect you? I could go even a step further and ask, did you know that it is impossible to fear something that you do not acknowledge as having the potential to affect you? Just think about it. Can you think of any possible fear you could possess that would not have the potential to affect you? As soon as you consider the fear, the object of your fear has moved into the realm of that which has the potential to affect you. It is impossible to fear something outside your frame of reference, because as soon as you think about it, it moves inside your frame of reference and carries with it the potential to affect you in some way. Beyond just affecting you, though, fear is acknowledging that something has the potential to affect you in a negative way.

These thoughts began to mull around in my head the other day as I meditated upon Psalm 86:11, “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” I was intrigued by the concept of my heart being united to fear something, specifically the name of the Lord. As I’ve continued to contemplate these words, I found myself wondering, what would cause someone to not fear the Lord? It seems to me that there are three possible explanations for why someone would not fear the Lord:

1. God is completely outside their frame of reference. They have never thought of Him. Is this possible? Are there those who have never even thought of God? (For example, if I had never thought of…um…oh, never mind.)

2. They deny God’s existence. They have thought of God, but do not believe that He exists and therefore have no basis for fearing that which they do not believe to be in existence. (For example, I may have thought of aliens from other planets – thanks to viewing E.T. as a child – but because I do not believe aliens exist - with good reason, I might add - I do not in any way fear them.)

3. They have not considered the potential for God to affect them in a negative way. Because the presentation of the love of God in our society has tipped the scale far out of balance with His equally divine traits of truth and justice, many are unaware of the wrath of God that is being stored up for the day of judgment. A few verses from Romans 2 will quickly clear up any misconception in this area, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil; of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.” (For example, if I had never considered…um…okay, I don’t think it’s possible to give examples for things you’ve never thought of or considered…)

In order for someone to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is essential that the above foundation is first laid. 1. God must be brought to conscious thought; 2. One must acknowledge God’s existence; 3. One must come to an awareness of the potential for God to affect them in a negative way. Once this premise has been established, one can more readily understand and accept the salvation that God offers through Jesus Christ which provides a way of escape from the coming wrath of God.