Fear & Tremble

Why is “fear and trembling” important to the Christian walk?

Being a Christian is a change of identity. We are made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5). We are completely new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our mind changes to the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Our diet changes (John 6:54-58). The purpose of our body changes (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Everything changes! What does this have to do with fear and trembling? Everything.

• Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 ESV)

Why does Paul say we should fear and tremble while “working out our own salvation?” Paul is calling believers to understand who we are and what has happened to us in Christ. Paul says, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Let’s think about this for a second. Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth, who spoke creation into existence, this God works in me! When I will to be in accordance with the will of God, and then work in response, it is not I, but Almighty God. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20). Is that not something that merits fear and trembling? The very fact that God is who works in me to will and work for his own good pleasure is an incredibly awesome and terrifying fact! But it is a fact to rejoice in!  

• If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11 ESV)

If you have been saved by grace through faith, Almighty God dwells inside you! Inside you! Communion is a great symbol of this. When we eat the bread and drink the cup we are proclaiming the death of Christ until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). When we eat the bread and drink the cup they literally go inside our body and we become one literally. Our body breaks down the nutrients and uses it for energy to live and work. Just as we literally take in the bread and cup into our body, so God literally dwells in us and works in us. If this is not worthy of fear and trembling, then I don’t know what is. Fear and trembling come out of an understanding of who we are in Christ. May we all come to a fuller understanding of our Identity in Christ.

• Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” (John 6:54-58 ESV)

The Ultimate Goal

Preaching, teaching, and having theological discussion are all very important and should be valued. However, there are some serious questions we must ask ourselves when we are involved in preaching, teaching, or discussion. Here is one question to ask yourself that will then expose what the true motive of your heart is when engaging in any of these activities.

·         What is my ultimate goal in this?

Depending on how this question is answered, a few more questions may be helpful in exposing an idol in the heart.

·         What about this activity brings me the most joy?

·         Do I care if I look smart?

·         Do I want to prove people wrong to win the argument?

·         Am I inwardly hoping to hear feedback about how excellent my message was?

The ultimate goal of preaching, teaching, and theological discussion should be to point people towards Christ. If pointing people towards Christ is not foremost on our mind, then we need a serious heart check.  

The Gospel is not a Challenge

The Gospel is not a challenge, and it was never meant to be a challenge.

Using rhetoric like “challenge” induces the listener to feel as if they need to rise up and meet a certain standard. This is not the Gospel. The Gospel is not about us rising up to meet a standard or gain success. The Gospel has never been about challenging people to succeed in an area such as reading the Bible, Bible memorization, going to church, praying, daily devotions, or any other spiritual discipline. The Gospel is about Jesus reaching the highest standard, which is sinless perfection, and giving that righteousness to us free of charge. 

To use rhetoric like “challenge” is to move away from the Gospel. The Gospel has never been about my own work and success, but the work of Christ in my place.  The Gospel is an invitation to be saved because Christ has done everything, and I have done nothing.

The Gospel is an invitation, not a challenge.