This is one of the first books that I have finished reading, written by the late Albert N. Martin. It is a relatively short book (175 pages), probably meant to be finished in the span of 1-3 days, depending on your reading speed. Each chapter includes a short study entitled, "Questions for Reflection and Discussion" averaging around 4-6 questions depending on the chapter. This book is published by Reformation Heritage Books (RHB).
Chapters in the Book:
Foreword
Predominance of the Fear of God in Biblical Thought
Definition of the Fear of God
Ingredients of the Fear of God
Source of the Fear of God
Relationship of the Fear of God to Our Conduct
How to Maintain and Increase the Fear of God
A Final Word to the Reader
Main Theme:
The main thrust of this book centers around the necessity of having the Spirit of the Fear of the LORD in the life of a Christian.
Style of writing:
Albert N. Martin goes through exegetical methods to make his point. He guides the reader along to see what certain words quoted by the passage he is using mean. The use of a concordance such as Strong's or Young's is a regular occurrence.
That said, it doesn't take a scholar to follow through with his writing, as he is also very pastoral in his approach. I have found that my confidence in his claims has only grown with his transparency in showing me how he got his point from the scriptures he is referring to. One of the side-benefits of reading this book is to glean from Pastor Martin's exegetical approach to proclaiming truths in the scriptures - this of course is of no coincidence since this book is rooted in the word of God.
Sometimes, you get the sense that Pastor Martin is preaching to you. In keeping with that, you will find there are, in this book, exhortations to practice the fear of the LORD. Most notably, his exhortation in keeping with the prophet Isaiah's own plea to "Seek the LORD while He may be found..." sets this book for an audience of both believers and unbelievers alike.
Quotes worth quoting:
The following are selected from each chapter listed in the Chapters Heading.
Chapter 1: Predominance of the Fear of God in Biblical Thought
When our spiritual forefathers desired to describe someone who was characterized by genuine godliness, they would often call him a "God-fearing man."This designation reflected the fact that men realized the fear of God was nothing less than the soul of godliness. (pg.1)
Take away the fear of God from any profession of godliness, and all that is left is the stinking carcass of pharisaism, barren religiosity, or calculated hypocrisy. (pg.1)
Chapter 2: Definition of the Fear of God
The fear of God is the soul of godliness. (pg.23)
There is a legitimate sense in which the fear of God involves being afraid of God, being gripped with terror and dread. Though this is not the dominant thought in Scripture, it is there nonetheless. The second aspect of fear, which is peculiar to the true children of God, is the fear of veneration, honor, and awe with which we regard our God. (pg.27)
Chapter 3: Ingredients of the Fear of God
We will identify the three categories of biblical truth that constitute the essential ingredients of the fear of God. First, we must have correct concepts of the character of God. Second, we must have a widespread sense of the presence of God. Third, we must have a constant awareness of our obligations to God. (pg.57)
One of the great problems in our day is that we have in great measure lost sight of those aspects of the character of God that are calculated to produce His fear - namely, His majesty, immensity, holiness, and unrivaled sovereignty as the reigning monarch of the universe. (pg.58)
Chapter 4: Source of the Fear of God
"it is well known that the fear of God is used to signify not only the whole of His worship but all godly affections whatsoever, and consequently the whole of true religion." (pg.88)
...the fear of God can be used as a synonym for the "whole of true religion." (pg.88)
His saving work, produces in us the conviction that His smile is the greatest of life's blessings, and His frown the greatest of life's curses. (pg.89)
Every man-made religion either seeks to produce the fear of God on some basis other than forgiveness, or it promises forgiveness in a way that does not produce the fear of God. (pg.105)
Chapter 5: Relationship of the Fear of God to Our Conduct
As Manton has so beautifully said, "The heart is shy of a condemning God, but closet with and adhereth to a pardoning God; and nothing breedeth this fear to offend so much as a tender sense of the Lord's goodness in Christ." Until a person knows the forgiveness of God based on the blood of the everlasting covenant, he will never rightly fear God. (pg.111)
The fear of God couched in the consciousness of forgiveness is a fear that causes us to draw near to God and to cling to Him and His ways. (pg.111)
Chapter 6: How to Maintain and Increase the Fear of God
When it comes to living the Christian life, the focus of our conscious spiritual endeavors is to be the very things God declares to be the result of His own work in us. (pg.141)
Putting the fear of God into the heart of anyone is declared to be a sovereign work of God as a promised blessing of the new covenant (Jer.32:40)... In light of this, someone could reason that if it is God's work to put His fear in our hearts, then the way to increase the fear of God is obvious - you've just got to pray and trust that the Lord will do it. But that is not how it works. The principle is this: What God declares to be his work in us is to be the focus of our conscious labors and endeavors. (pg.143)
Chapter 7: A Final Word to the Reader
It is my prayer that some of you who have read these pages have come to the conclusion that, in your case, the total absence of the fear of God is an undeniable evidence that you have never experienced the manifold blessings of the salvation freely and sincerely offered to you in the gospel. (pg. 174)
Close this book, and go directly to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant. He stands ready to receive all who come to God by Him and to impart every single blessing promised to needy sinners in that covenant. (pg.174)
Suggested Uses:
Personal edification: If you have problems as I do with finishing a book, this is a good one to start... in order to finish. It's short and concise... and most importantly, it's convicting. There is no greater topic in the Christian life than that of keeping the Fear of the LORD in all of our lives.
Small group study: The helpful questions at the end of each chapter make it easy for anyone to lead the study. These questions help not only to make sure that you've read the chapter but also think more deeply concerning major points.
Pass it along: It's nice and cheap in monetary value but packs eternal value in the truth given. I would highly recommend buying bulk if you want to hand it out to your friends/ family etc.
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Disclaimer:
This book was given to me by a friend, free of charge. The review is my own honest opinion.
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