Let us Fear

Hebrews 4:1-3 (ESV)
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. [2] For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. [3] For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,

"As I swore in my wrath,
'They shall not enter my rest,' "

although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.

“Let us fear.” We should fear, love and trust in God above all things. Today fear is the bugaboo word. There is nothing to fear but fear itself. Fear. It is associated with bad things. People honestly wonder why they should fear God. I sometimes think this is a sign of unbelief, that they have no fear of God. Their concept of God is so depraved they have no idea why they should fear God. They do not know God. To know God is to fear God. It is natural. God’s “awesomeness” invokes fear. They way the mountain lion, my son John stumbled upon at Topaz mountain invoked fear in him. He didn’t need to learn to fear. He came around the corner saw the lion, and ran for dear life. So would we if we were ever to see God in his glory. And yet we think it is strange that we should fear God. He loves us right. Yes he does. The fact that he loves us though does not detract from the fact that he is holy, and hates sin.
So let us fear. Let us fear the eternal wrath of God. Let us fear that he will not let us abuse him and his name and go unpunished. Fear, it is an aspect of faith. To be sure it isn’t the main ingredient, but it is an ingredient. Let us fear losing our salvation.