Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

It’s not often in the New Testament that we notice a writer telling us to fear. Often when we think of fear as related to God’s Word, we think of eliminating it from our consciousness. We think of fear as a plague that prevents us from living as God desires; we consider God’s Word as an invitation to flee from fear.

Though this is true on some level, the fear that we should oppose ourselves to is the fear of anything other than God. There is a fear that should live in every believer.

Here in Hebrews 4:1, we are told to fear God. This fear is not a fear of what He may do to us.* No, it’s a fear of eternal separation from God and depravation from Him.* How should we approach this? By fearing God Himself.*

The fear that Hebrews 4:1 invites us to isn’t a fear that shakes the confidence of faith; it is a fear that partners with faith.* Scholars define the fear of God as an emotional state or posture that reflects upon the mighty acts of God.*

I define fear of God as a heightened sense of awareness to the dynamic of relationship between one’s self and God, understanding HIs profoundly superior ability to impact one’s future in a real and powerful way.

Interestingly, when we think of fear (even fear of God), we naturally think of ourselves and what we may do to stay in a correct posture toward God. The author of Hebrews, however, invites us to have this fear in relationship to others.* Meaning, we should fear God for those in our community as much as for ourselves; we should partner with each other in helping us to keep right-focus on God.

The falling away from God that Hebrews 4:1 speaks of is not the result of an accident or the fruit of an imperfect follower of Christ (we are all imperfect). The falling away from God that we should concern ourselves with relates to rebellion.*

When we allow ourselves to fear God by way of concerning ourselves with helping those in our community of believers to maintain submission to Him in our lives, we find ourselves more and more free.* When we disregard our fear of God, live in rebellion, and encourage others to do the same, we will find more bondage.* This rebellion, if followed through, ends in eternal separation from and deprivation of God.*

Though fear of other things brings bondage and potential rebellion, fear of God sets us free.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to fear Him rightly: focusing on HIs good deeds and posturing ourselves in complete concern of Him. Perhaps today God wants you to repent of fearing other things. Maybe today God wants you to remind a friend to concern their lives with their relationship to God. Perhaps God wants you to remember that His promise or rest still stands.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

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*Stedman, R. C. (1992). Hebrews (Heb 4:1–2). IVP Academic.
Grindheim, S. (2023). The Letter to the Hebrews (D. A. Carson, Ed.; pp. 235–239). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
France, R. T. (2006). Hebrews. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 65–66). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. (1998). Hebrews (p. 149–151). Zondervan Publishing House.