Christian, Inspirational

A More Excellent Way

Should we fear the Lord? Does fear mean terror or simply to hold in awe?

Once again, this Sunday, another preacher said we are to hold the Lord in awe and reverence. God doesn’t want us to be afraid of him, the preacher continued, He is simply too kind of a God to want us to fear Him.

Well, that’s what most preachers say these days, but what does Jesus say?

In Matthew 10:28 KJV, Jesus said, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

What else does the Bible say? In Philippians 2:12 KJV, Paul says, … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

So what does this mean to us? Fear actually means fear. It means to be afraid. It’s still a good idea to hold God in awe and reverence, but if you are not walking in the light, it is also a good idea to actually fear the Lord, who can send you to Hell for all eternity.

So what is the better way? 1 John 4:18 KJV says, 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.

Unfortunately people including preachers want to skip a step. Those who are still sinning are not and cannot be in perfect love with the Lord. In fact if you are still sinning you should absolutely fear the Lord. It may cause you to turn from sin and save your soul.

There are many verses concerning fear of the Lord, especially in Psalms and Proverbs. If you love the Lord and keep his commandments you are walking in perfect love. Be faithful till the end and there is no need to fear. Salvation is ours!

Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV says … Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Proverbs 9:10 KJV
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

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Christian, Inspirational

Scared Straight

There seems to be a movement to lessen the meaning and strength of all the times in the Holy Bible when it says we are to fear the Lord.

This movement pins its hope on the definition of fear being reverential awe. These doubters would mislead us and seem to think reverential awe doesn’t actually mean to be afraid of or fearful of God. Let’s look at what Jesus has to say on the subject. In Matthew 10:28 KJV Jesus says, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

In Philippians 2:12 KJV Paul adds … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

There is certainly a place for understanding that God is our Heavenly Father and that perfect love casteth out fear. There is also a place for those of us who understand it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of our living God. Hebrews 10:31.

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