What stood out to me most was Sproul’s explanation of what it means for God to be holy and what that means for our personal relationship with Him and our walk as Christians. Sproul describes how an encounter with God’s holiness produces both fear and peace. On page 3 he writes:
“An icy chill started at the base of my spine and crept up my neck. Fear swept over me… the terror passed, but soon it was followed by another wave. This wave was different. It flooded my soul with unspeakable peace, a peace that brought instant rest and repose to my troubled spirit… I was alone with God. A holy God. An awesome God. A God who could fill me with terror in one second and with peace in the next.”
That passage made me think about the expression, “put the fear of God into someone.” I’ve always thought of it as a negative saying, but maybe biblical fear is something different. It’s not simply being afraid of God; it’s recognizing His holiness with such awe and reverence that it changes how we live. Perhaps that kind of fear is exactly what leads us away from darkness and onto the right path.
