Do you think it is a contradiction to be fearful of a God who is supposedly based in Love?

Question

You constantly hear the phrase "God Fearing" Yet God calls us his children.

Answer 1

Yeah, but watch out when god's had a few. His children are the ones to suffer.

Answer 2

Maybe you have never had children, but to teach a child the fear of the Lord means that if your father speaks you would not imagine to disobey his voice. But since today in our society parents do not teach their children fear of any kind, these same people have no respect for things they do not understand.Jude 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
But if God does speak you will fear. But this does not mean he does not love you and wants what is best for you even if you do not understand this fact; Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Answer 3

Say a father is cooking with his child (3 year old) and the child appears close to putting its hand an a stove burner. Will the father yell to get the child's attention (causing fear) ... or will the father whisper (keeping that loving feeling)???


"The success of love is in the loving
- it is not in the result of loving.
Of course it is natural in love to want the best for the other person,
but whether it turns out that way or not
does not determine the value
of what we have done" (Blessed Mother Teresa)

Answer 4

There are many degrees of fear. When you were a child, did you ever fear disappointing your parents? When you did something bad, did you fear what your parents would do? This is true of any superior in our lives. We know right from wrong and we're afraid of what the consequences will be if we do wrong. At this point in my life, I dont fear the wrath of God because it's become much easier to follow God's rules than it is to disobey them. Makes life a lot simpler.

Answer 5

We fear god as we do our own mothers and fathers, we love them, but we fear them too. By fearing him we shall not stray away from him and give in to the iniquities of man.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Revelation 14:7
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.

Answer 6

God fearing refers to trying to avoid displeasing the Almighty, all powerful God.

We have a healthy fear of God as we would a police officer that would stop us on the highway.

He has the power to put you in jail and make you look bad and cause you trouble if you give him a hard time.

Likewise if you disobey God he will simply have you put to death.

We respect his power and help others to have this healthy respect for God really wants only the best for us.
He is a wonderful provider of life and all the beauties we enjoy.

Answer 7

I agree with the giggly girafe's answer. The fear is in dissapointing a parental figure who you know cares and has your best interest in mind. Who is trying to teach you how to be the best person you can be, but loves you anyway if you don't listen. And most importantly, despite making your lessons harder each time you don't listen in an attempt to make you do better for you, never leaves ya hangin!

Answer 8

A good old friend of mine said to me:

"God, etymologically is a raging ever mysterious Beast, a raging thunderous Spirit, that we by the Second Commandment are admonished not to name in vain else His thundering/lightning rage might strike us prematurely for having been so imprudent/impudent to put into discussion His almighty acts. The definitive consequence for us would then be for our soul to be fetched by the firm helpers of ferocious ever grinning Satan and so mercilessly hurled down into the ever scorching fire of perennially burning Hell.

There is no hint of Love from God in such a declaration.

Answer 9

U ought to revere God. As a matter of fact, He is so great that if for His love and mercy u would not even be able to call the name God.

Answer 10

The fear that GOD puts in you is not that you are afraid, but that you don't want to do wrong. if you do something wrong, it agonizes you ,right. God fearing is based on loving him so very much.

Answer 11

Hi Lyon. There are two different kinds of fear. Adam and Eve feared God after they ate fruit from the forbidden tree. They hid from God because of their fear. This is the wrong fear. In Genesis 3:8:

“And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.”

God uses language in the Bible to describe the unsaved as those who do not fear God. In Psalm 36:1 God tells us:

“The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.”

We should fear God for respect of His Glory, because He is the Almighty Creator. God commands those who are truly His servants to fear Him. In Deuteronomy 6:13 we read:

“Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.”

Many people have the misconception about God that He is “all forgiving, all loving God”. Yes, He does love His children and He does forgive the sins of those whom He has decided to give Salvation.

But do not be deceived, God is vengeful and the unsaved of the world will face His wrath. There are those who prefer to think of God as an "kindly Grandfather" who would never do such a terrible thing as condemn you to Hell for all eternity. These people are the unsaved of the world they do not want to face Judgment for there sins.

God tells us very clearly, that those who are unsaved will stand before Him for Judgment. And those found guilty will be cast into Hell. In Revelation 14:11 God warns us:

"And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night."

In Matthew 8:12 Jesus tells us what will happen to those who are of the kingdom of the world on Judgment day:

“But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

God is merciful and takes no delight is sending a sinner to Hell. But God does not intend to save everyone on the planet. Many will perish on the Judgment day. The Bible tells us those who fear God for Love of Him are truly His Children.