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Debate:Why should we be afraid of God? (view source)
Revision as of 01:10, February 4, 2009
, 01:10, February 4, 2009→Be Very Afraid
how about the term of "worshipful fear"?[[User:Kmcheng|Kmcheng]] 16:40, 25 December 2008 (EST)
how about the term of "worshipful fear"?[[User:Kmcheng|Kmcheng]] 16:40, 25 December 2008 (EST)
:Fear comes in different forms, that of terrifying fright, which is what God sometime uses towards careless or hard hearted rebellious men, to whom appeal to their most basic instinct for survival must be made: "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven."(Rev 11:13)
:Then there is the "fear" which that of of esteem, reverence and respect, of "awe," which motivates heart and actions. One who has a loving but manly dad of integrity should love him, which makes one fear displeasing him out of esteem for him and his values. The aspect of the dad's power to discipline, however justly yet reluctantly he may be to do so, is also a healthy, beneficial, and necessary fear.
:Like love, fear is a good thing if rightly directed, and love and fear are actually complementary (like as "rejoice with trembling": Ps. 2:22; and "walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Ghost": Act 9:31). As we all ultimately love and fear something, including fearing the loss of esteem if we are found to have fear, and as loving or fearing something more than our Creator is ultimately bad and harmful, so God, who needs nothing (Acts 17:25), commands us to fear Him above all else, which is to our benefit. (Dt. 8:6; Ps. 34:7,9; 103:13,17; 145:19; Mt. 10:28)
:Yet, the Bible reveals the highest manner of motivation is that which is purely of love for God, having no other contrary desire, and is a fruit of true continuing obedient faith, which loves what God loves (and us hates what God hates); a holy love which is contrary to and displaces worldly love, and is fit for eternal glory, and need not fear the contrary. "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:17-18)
:I am not much there yet. but i see that is what i must seek after. "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." (Phil 3:15)
:"The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, ''endureth'' for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands." (Psa 138:8) [[User:Daniel1212|Daniel1212]] 20:10, 3 February 2009 (EST)