Magnetic Polarity

“Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” ~Psalm 2:11

Some truths in Scripture can feel as though they pull us in opposite directions. “Fear the Lord” sounds, at first, like a command to shrink back (Psa. 2:11). “Rejoice in the Lord” feels like an invitation to draw near (Phil. 4:4). We are told to delight in God’s law, discovering freedom in grateful obedience (Ps. 1:2; 112:1), and yet we are also commanded to obey (John 14:15) — a word that can conjure images of cold duty and reluctant submission. But these are not competing forces. Reverence and rejoicing, duty and delight, are not opposing poles meant to tear us apart. In God’s economy, they work together, drawing us nearer and shaping right thinking, right worship, and right living for the glory of His name (Rom. 12:1–2).

God knows our frame so well, doesn’t He? He remembers that we are but dust (Ps. 103:14). Left to ourselves, we will instinctively choose one approach to God and His Word. Some bend toward legalism, hammering the drum of obedience without ever considering how gratitude fills out obedience. Sacrifice is offered, but hearts remain far from Him (Matt. 15:8; cf. Isa. 29:13). Worship like this becomes empty — indeed, offensive — because it is devoid of thanksgiving (Amos 5:21–24).

Others bend toward licentiousness. “Grace abounds, right? So sin must not be a big deal!” (Rom. 6:1). Liberty is celebrated, but without any regard for holiness. Yet liberty is always found within the bounds of God’s wisdom and will (Gal. 5:13). We are not freed from obedience; we are freed for obedience — obedience offered gladly, from hearts transformed by grace (Rom. 6:17–18; Titus 2:11–14). Duty and delight. Love and obey (John 14:21). We need both, and God graciously leads us toward both through the magnetic pull of His Word.

Some Christians struggle their whole lives under the image of an angry Father, forever scowling from heaven, never quite satisfied with their best efforts. Fear, for them, means only shrinking back. These tender consciences need to be reminded: Rejoice in the Lord! Draw near to a Father who loves you, who gave His Son for you, and who sees you clothed in the righteous robes of Christ Himself (Rom. 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:21). “Fear not,” for you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:15).

But others approach God with a casual familiarity that forgets His holiness. There is much rejoicing, but little reverence. God is spoken of as a peer, even treated like a cosmic butler. These hearts need to be reminded that our God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:28–29). He takes sin so seriously that He punishes it eternally in hell — or He punished it fully in His Son on the cross (Isa. 53:5–6; 1 Pet. 3:18). Fear the Lord. Revere Him for His majesty and power, and worship Him with awe (Ps. 96:9).

Ultimately, we must not put the car in the ditch. On one side is freedom from obedience, which Scripture never commends (1 John 2:3–4). On the other is dead orthodoxy, which God Himself despises (Rev. 2:1–5). On one side is familiarity that slips into irreverence, but God is not mocked (Gal. 6:7). On the other is a fearfulness that never lays hold of the promises of God as our loving Father (Heb. 4:16). Thank God for the magnetic polarity of His Word, which keeps us on the narrow path that leads to life (Matt. 7:13–14).

Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Pastor