Reverence and Godly Fear (Hebrews 12:28)

2024-01-29

Walking in grace while serving the Lord is to be done “with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28). Both words, “reverence” and “godly fear,” both have connotations of “reverence,” but each have additional connotations.

“Reverence” is translated “shamefacedness” elsewhere: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” (1 Timothy 2:9). Here, we see such reverence is modest and not showy. It would not draw attention to yourself. Service is to others and the Lord; service that adds glory to us ceases to be service.

“Godly fear” is used of the Lord Himself during His Passion, when He “feared”: “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:7-8). Here, we see that this reverence/godly fear resulted in the Father hearing Him.

How many times have you seen videos of people feeding the homeless? It’s all staged and for show. How many times have you seen preachers say things that may be true, but it was done to make them look good? These are the dangers here. Here is a word on the apostle Paul’s preaching:

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)