An Alarming Departure

Much of what transpires in the church today, as well-meaning as it may be, downplays the fear aspect of our relationship with God and actually works against promoting the awe that is the very beginning of salvation and sanctification. Man-centered preaching, some “praise choruses,” and most drama—all common in today’s churches—often do little, if anything, to promote the fear of God. Instead, they stroke the flesh, pamper egos, entertain the soul, tickle our ears, and address superficial “felt needs.”

Preaching, music, and drama are all outstanding tools of ministry—only if they put God in His proper place. But we miss the mark when we look at God as an equal rather than looking up to Him as the sovereign, all-powerful Creator of the universe. A man-centered message and a horizontal ministry result in spiritually immature believers at best, and self-deceived, false converts at worst.

Without the fear of God, everything eternal and lasting is thrown to the wind. If we do not properly fear God, we cannot properly understand the boundless grace, mercy, and love that He has poured out on us through the Lord Jesus Christ. To paraphrase Solomon: Understanding the fear of God is the beginning point of understanding everything else about Him.

Excerpt taken from Made in Our Image, by Steven Lawson.