first of all, this is a serious question and it isnt an insult to you or God in any way. i would like to know if God is love and our Father, why do you fear Him? do you fear what would happen if you dont? i would like to hear your thoughts on this. and please dont waste my time with "condemning the sinner". many thanx.
2007-10-26 05:50:24 · 25 answers · asked by evil Hesh 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
EXCELLENT QUESTION!
Over and over again we are told to fear the Lord. Fear in both Greek and Hebrew is not transliterated as 'reverence' as many folks would like to say. The primary definitions mean, 'terror with trembling of knees.'
This point is a great failing of our modern Christian culture! To evangelize Christians portray God as love, and stop at that. We preach that God is love and you will have peace and joy if you believe. While this is true, we have ignored the other half of God! Our God is just. He will punish the guilty. He will throw the unfaithful to an eternity of to be tormented in the flames of the lake of fire. He grieved that He created man, and nearly destroyed all life on earth with a flood. He kills and even wounds [Deut. 32:39]. There are not evil things! But, when you never learn God for who He is, and simply focus on His "big, teddy bear" part, you have a seriously difficult time understanding the rest of Him. In the end, many believers doubt their faith.
God is just. God also tests His children. He will let Satan test us...look at Job. In fact Job, a great man of God, said the calamity of God is a terror to me. Paul tells us not to fear man, for all he can do is kill the body. Rather fear God, for He can not only kill the body, but send you to Hell forever!
Christians may be saved from Hell, but we should not boast in that. We should remain eternally humble, for Hell is what we deserve. Only God Himself, through Christ, saved us...we did not save ourselves. As humbled, like Job, we ought to be terrified of God.
Further, Heb. 6:4 does speak of a way in which Christians can lose their salvation via rejecting the indwelling Holy Spirit: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we should be humble, recognize, like Job did, that we are insignificant, and fear God. Through this we are more obedient, respectful, and grateful. Our faith does not depend on what God does or does not do for us. Our faith becomes more unconditional...as it should be.
2007-10-26 06:06:50 · answer #1 · answered by BowtiePasta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fear of the Lord is an awe, a knowing of who God is, His greatness, His extreme power that in His presence we are consumed by fire and the only way we see God is to see Jesus. Knowing that God can take the very breath of man because it is God who gave us breath. God is like any loving Father, if we do not obey He does discipline. I have been disciplined by God and God always does what it takes to get me in line with Him. I either pass the test or I fail it. When I fail it there is another test coming. The Holy Spirit purifies and refines me. He teaches me all things of Christ. He comforts, but at the same time He convicts of sin in my life and helps me remove it.
Being in the presence of God is being surrounded by love. You know that God will never leave you or forsake you. You have promises that God has made and He tells us if we will do this that He will do that. What I fear is not pleasing or being pleasing to God. I virtually hate sin, because sin displeases God so much. To know the love of God is the most wonderful thing that any person can ever experience.
2007-10-26 06:03:04 · answer #2 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people have a problem with the concept of God our Father. Many fathers are abusive and not at all someone we want to continue to submit to after we are grown, nor is it desirable to do so. Growing up means living your own life by your standards, not submitting to the will of you father.
So that whole idea leaves a subconscious bad taste in the mouth for many.
Also, people are divided as to their concept of love. The term love is vague and all-inclusive and means many different things to many different people as does the word Faith.
So, I wish there were a better way to explain the relationship between mankind and God. It is more profound than just "Father and Child".
2007-10-26 06:01:25 · answer #3 · answered by Prof Fruitcake 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally don't fear God, and I do believe that His interests toward me are good. I think that people that are afraid are still feeling guilty, but Jesus died to take our guilt away also. When we feel condemned, we act and talk this way to others, but this is not God's way. We are to tell the truth about accepting Him, but we say it in love. God loves everyone, that is why Jesus died, so that we could live with Him forever.
2007-10-26 06:32:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having fear for God is the same type of fear you have for your parents. Fear and being scared (which a lot of people associate with fear) is not the same. My fear for God comes mostly from respect.
2007-10-26 06:02:37 · answer #5 · answered by preacher 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We must fear him,,,,if we had no fear, we could continue sinning and it wouldn't bother us...we must stand in fear of what will happen if we stray away from his word...Fear is a good thing,,,it keeps us on the straight and narrow..
Hebrews 12, 7
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
2007-10-26 06:08:09 · answer #6 · answered by dreamdress2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not fear God. I get to call him "abba father" wich basicly means daddy.
I love Him, respect Him, revere Him, cry out to Him, learn about Him, and spend time with Him. I do not shake in fear of Him. His judgement is not upon me. I am an hier to his kingdom, a child of God washed clean of sin though Jesus Christ alone.
2007-10-26 06:13:08 · answer #7 · answered by apple1821 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its kind of a "respectful fear" that I have for God. Its kind of like the "fear" that an experienced sea traveller might have for the ocean. He trusts his life to it when he goes out sailing and knows what the ocean is capable of. Thus he has a kind of healthy "respectful fear" for it.
2007-10-26 05:57:35 · answer #8 · answered by Link 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you not fear your parents, if you disobey?
Yet are your parents not loving parents, and go out of their way. to make you feel comfortable?
Do they not set rules for you to live by?
And if you disobey them.
Are you not afraid you might be punished? If you are a parent yourself.
Do not your children fear being punished. If they disobey the rules you set befor, them?
Even tho you show them love and compassion. If so, then you have answered your own question.
2007-10-26 06:02:23 · answer #9 · answered by jc7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, respectfully: How was your relationship with your Father? Did he ever spank you when you did wrong?
God punishes His Children according to the Bible. Hebrews 12:1-5.
Seven times in book of Proverbs physical spanking is commanded to:
-drive foolishness from the heart of the child
-prove you love them enough to make them do right
-save their soul from Hell by teaching them the very harsh consequences of Sin.
I thank God every day for parents who loved me enough to spank me and teach me respect for their authority. Ultimately in doing so, I learned respect for the only real authority that exists. Guess who's?
2007-10-26 06:01:24 · answer #10 · answered by realchurchhistorian 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋