Why 30 Million Americans Are LEAVING The Faith | John Bevere | Eric Metaxas on TBN

Summary

In this insightful conversation, John Bav and Eric Maxis explore the importance of the fear of the Lord in cultivating an intimate relationship with God. Bav emphasizes that this fear is not about being scared of God but being terrified of being separated from Him, which helps believers avoid sin and lawlessness. Sharing personal experiences, including an impactful encounter with Jim Bakker in prison, Bav highlights how the fear of God keeps us from falling into moral failure. The discussion also touches on how the fear of God should shape Christian perspectives on voting and maintaining spiritual holiness.

Takeaways

• 😀 The fear of the Lord is about reverence and awe, not about being scared of God. It’s about recognizing His authority and holiness.
• 😀 God’s number one desire is for an intimate relationship with His people, and the fear of the Lord helps facilitate that intimacy.
• 😀 The fear of the Lord is tied to a deep respect for God's presence, motivating believers to avoid sin and live righteously.
• 😀 John Bav discusses how a lack of the fear of the Lord is leading many Christians to fall away from the faith and embrace lawlessness.
• 😀 Jim Bakker's experience in prison highlighted that love for God alone doesn’t keep someone from sin, but the fear of God prevents lawlessness.
• 😀 The fear of the Lord is described as God's treasure, Jesus' delight, and the key to maturing one’s salvation.
• 😀 John Bav suggests that people’s lack of reverence for God has contributed to a culture of lawlessness in modern Christianity.
• 😀 In politics, John emphasizes that Christians should vote for candidates who honor God, rather than voting based on personalities or emotional responses.
• 😀 The fear of the Lord leads to true holiness, as believers are called to cleanse themselves from sin and live in reverence to God.
• 😀 John compares the fear of God to a healthy marriage relationship—just as a spouse avoids unfaithfulness out of love and fear of losing intimacy, believers avoid sin to preserve their closeness with God.
• 😀 Psalm 25:14 says that friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who fear Him, and He shares intimate secrets with them.

Q & A

What does the 'fear of the Lord' truly mean according to the speaker?

The 'fear of the Lord' is not about being scared of God, but rather about being terrified of being away from God. It is about maintaining an intimate relationship with God and not falling into a state of lawlessness.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of the fear of the Lord in today's society?

The speaker believes that many Americans have walked away from the faith due to a lack of preaching on the fear of the Lord. They argue that the fear of God keeps people from living in lawlessness and helps maintain their relationship with God.

How does the speaker connect the fear of the Lord with personal salvation?

The speaker connects the fear of the Lord to the maturity of salvation. They refer to scriptures like Isaiah 11:3 and Philippians 2:12, which highlight the importance of fear in working out one's salvation and maintaining a clean, enduring relationship with God.

What role does the fear of the Lord play in spiritual transformation according to the speaker?

The fear of the Lord cleanses and transforms a person's life. It prevents them from engaging in sin and helps them endure in their spiritual journey, as mentioned in Psalm 19:9 and Proverbs 16:6.

How did Jim Baker's experience in prison influence his understanding of the fear of God?

Jim Baker, reflecting on his time in prison, realized that his fall from grace was not due to a lack of love for Jesus, but because he lacked the fear of God. This insight led the speaker to understand the crucial role the fear of God plays in preventing lawlessness and maintaining intimacy with God.

What is the difference between legalism and lawlessness as discussed in the video?

Legalism involves rigidly following laws without understanding God's grace, while lawlessness is the opposite—living without any regard for God's commandments. The speaker stresses that the fear of God prevents both extremes, helping believers maintain a balanced, intimate relationship with God.

What does the speaker mean when he says the fear of the Lord is God's treasure?

The fear of the Lord is described as God's treasure because it is something that brings believers closer to God. It is a vital part of salvation and is something that God delights in, as referenced in Isaiah 11:3.

How does the speaker suggest Christians should engage with politics and voting?

The speaker suggests that Christians should vote according to biblical principles, focusing on which candidates honor God more, rather than being swayed by personalities or emotions. They emphasize the importance of voting for what is best for the nation while honoring God.

What does the speaker mean by 'cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh'?

This refers to the need for believers to purify themselves spiritually, living a holy life that reflects the fear of the Lord. It involves addressing both outward actions and inner motives to achieve true holiness, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 7:1.

Why does the speaker consider intimacy with God so important, and how is it related to the fear of God?

Intimacy with God is considered the core of the Christian experience. The fear of God protects this intimacy by preventing believers from engaging in sinful behavior that could disrupt their relationship with God. The speaker emphasizes that lawlessness leads to a loss of this precious intimacy.