According to freedictionary.com, a “paradox” is a statement that seems to contradict itself but may nonetheless be true. You’ve probably heard different paradoxes before, like “it’s more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Stop and think about it for a moment: usually we feel blessed when we receive something. Like a gift, or a compliment, or good health. We have it, and we feel blessed. But the paradox is true: you feel even more blessed when you give a blessing to someone else.
Here’s another paradox I came across in my Bible study. It’s in Psalm 130, verse 4: “with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared.” A little background here: the Psalmist feels overwhelmed by his guilt over sin (v. 1). He cries out for mercy (v. 2), and is so thankful for God’s grace to forgive him (v. 3).
Because Jesus died to take away our sin, we too can rejoice that we have “forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
And then comes the paradox. God grants forgiveness, that He may be feared (Psalm 130:4). Wouldn’t you think it would say, “God grants forgiveness so that we do not need to fear”? But that’s not what it says. Rather, it’s that God forgives us so that we may fear Him. Hmm. What’s it mean?
Well, for a believer, “fearing God” is not being afraid of His judgment, but realizing the most Holy One in the universe is always with you. Always. He’s forgiven you, so you can be close to Him. Because you’re close to such a holy God, you want to please Him rather than sin in His presence. That’s the fear of the Lord.
We’re forgiven to fear. Meditate on that paradox awhile.
