2 Corinthians 5:11-12 (HCSB)
Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we seek to persuade people. We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to your consciences as well. We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance rather than in the heart.
Paul uses a turn of phrase that grates on many Christians today, to the point that they either ignore it, or they try to interpret away its significance: the fear of the Lord. Many teach that we are to love God not to fear him. So, they decide that this word must mean something like “respect” or “honor” rather than “fear”.
But the Greek word used here is phobos, the word behind our word phobia. Its most natural meaning is simply “fear”. And, in its context here, its most natural meaning makes perfect sense. Paul has just finished writing about the fact that everyone will stand before God at the final judgment, and has said that, because of that knowledge, he makes every effort to please God (verses 9 and 10 above). Jesus himself in Luke 12:4-5 (HCSB) instructed his followers: “And I say to you, My friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will show you the One to fear: Fear Him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the One to fear!”
Paul is basically saying that, even as an apostle he understands that his ultimate accountability is not to the Church members, or even to the Church hierarchy. He is directly accountable to God, and when all is done, he will render an account to Him of his life and ministry.
For that reason, some of his decisions and actions might seem strange, or even worthy of condemnation to the Corinthians. But his highest calling is not to serve them or to meet their expectations. His highest calling is to obey God and to meet His expectations. And if that means that the Corinthians are displeased with some of his decisions or actions, so be it. In obedience to Jesus’ command, he did not fear people, and he did not allow himself to be molded and swayed by their opinions. He feared God, and lived in strict obedience to his commands and his direction every day.
Father, it is very easy for us, pastors as well as laypeople, to fall into the trap of trying to please other people. In part this is to avoid conflict, which, for pastors anyway, could have financial ramifications. A lack of conflict also is less stressful and causes us to feel more at ease. But sometimes a focus on avoiding human conflict can cause us to seek our direction from the wrong place and base our actions on what will please the people rather than on what you want us to say or to do a given situation. Fear of people can cause us to shy away from confronting sin, and from having the hard conversations we need to have to help others to grow. Lord, help me to always remember my first, my highest allegiance, which is to You. I realize that that might sometimes (often?) take me to places that don’t make sense to the people around me, at least in the short run. But in the end, You will use my obedience to accomplish your mission and to bring You glory. Amen.