We can too easily fashion the Gospel message around only positive messages, especially here in the United States. Nothing is wrong with a positive presentation of the Gospel, but if we think a positive message is the only avenue through which the Lord can work, we will miss something we have been taught to reject – the fear of the Lord, The fear of the Lord may be just what is needed to turn a city or a nation towards the Lord. There are times when God is moving so powerfully that a solemn fear will descend over a city or a nation, and the Lord will use that fear to cause people to believe.
Paul had preached in Ephesus for two years. During his visit, the Lord performed His miracles through Paul.
“God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled” (Acts 19:11-12). Healing and deliverance were taking place in Ephesus. The Lord used Paul to heal the sick and confront the demons who held Ephesus under its dark spell.
“The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored” (vs. 17). As a result of that solemn fear, “Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices” (vs. 18).
Belief was the response to the solemn fear the people of Ephesus had experienced: “A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. So, the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect” (vs. 19-20).
If our preaching about Jesus is demonstrated with unrestrained boldness, it will have the same effect on people today as it did when Paul demonstrated God’s power in Ephesus, and beyond. It will reveal to those listening and watching that this life is not always in their control. When a fear of God is at work, they will realize they need a Redeemer who can save them and deliver them from evil.
We should not be concerned when a fear of the Lord is at work. The Lord has used that solemn fear to get the attention of inattentive people who might otherwise reject the Gospel because it lacked a demonstration of what true power looks like. That fear will set the stage for God’s message to “spread widely and have a powerful effect.”
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins
Featured Image by Christel from Pixabay
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