Reverence and Fear of God as a Way of Life

People have different objects of fear. Some fear ghost, heights, dark, harm, or person. Some are real while others are products of imagination. Fear, by nature, is a negative emotion. However, there are instances wherein the resulting effects are positive.

There are two types of fear depending on its effects to those who feel or recognize it. One which causes anxiety or physical and mental health problems. The other is one which drives people to self-restraint resulting to a disciplined life and uprightness. The latter is commonly called a “holy fear”. It is directed to God who judges all people. As others say, if we are to fear anyone, we should fear the Creator who has the power to render punishment of eternal perdition.

The word reverence is directly related to fear of God. It connotes deep respect and honor which also produces high esteem and adoration to whom it is directed. In a kingdom, for example, the subjects who serve in the presence of the king act in a well-mannered fashion. They observe propriety and ethical standards in such a way that their demeanor are pleasing before the king. They cannot conduct themselves outside the limits of courtesy and decorum, otherwise, they may be arrested and serve the corresponding penalty.

The above attitude, if rendered to earthly leaders, must all the more be observed before the God of all. If such will be the practice, we can expect a well-behaved citizenry in a country. Sad to say, in the Philippines, some are not. There are people who commit crimes in broad daylight or even in the presence of persons in authority. Others lie without fret or pervert consciously, unfettered by any judgment that awaits them.

Reverence and fear of God, thus, refers to how we relate to God grounded on love and affection. It is more than just the performance of religious traditions. It is a relationship that produces righteousness because it demands self-control or suppression of self-will. Any form of veneration without the by-product of a holy life is not genuine but a superficial one. To be a true reverence and fear of God, it should drive the person to a commitment to avoid sin and bad habits.

How then can we properly observe reverence and fear of God? It must be coupled with the belief that God exists who sees everything that we do and believing that there is corresponding consequences for disobedience. However, our motivation for reverence should not be for fear of chastisement. We should revere God because we endear Him. This is our leverage as Filipinos considering that we implore the aid of the Almighty God in building our nation.

In view of the above perspectives, the value of reverence and fear of God should be deemed an indispensable value in seeking for considerable change in national scale. People normally don’t fear penal laws. They boldly and cunningly evade punitive measures. Only when they revere and fear God heartily that they become law-abiding citizens. (Nathaniel A. Saquiban, CRFV)