So what is it to Fear God?
It's to *Venerate* him! ... Venerate means to Honor, Respect, Esteem, Value, Reverence and stand in awe of him more than anything or anyone else.
_We firmly embrace his heart. We love what he loves and hate what he hates!_
The person who is *Scared* of God has something to hide ...
That's what Adam does in the Garden of Eden, he runs from the presence of God.
The Person who *Fears* God has nothing to hide. *He is terrified to be away from God*
He doesn't say "how close can I get to the line of compromise and not fall in?" Instead he says "I'll run so far away from that line you can't even see it".
CIC37: *CELEBRITY IN CHRIST EPISODE 37.*
TOPIC: *Fear vs "LOVE for God."*
There is a reason why so many people sit in religious gatherings and churches yet NEVER TRULY LOVE GOD.
They may bow their heads in prayer, lift their hands in worship,and try desperately to walk in Obedience *BUT THEIR HEARTS ARE BOUND NOT BY LOVE, BUT BY FEAR*
Fear of Hell.
Fear of Wrath.
Fear of Judgement.
They have been told again and again that unless they obey, unless they strive, unless they keep their fragile balance of good works, God fury will devour them. And so they obey, NOT OUT OF DELIGHT, but out of terror. NOT OUT OF LOVE, but out of dread.
*YET THIS IS NOT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST*
This is not the good news that shakes the world. This is SLAVERY dressed in RELIGION.
The Word of God shatters this lie with blazing clarity.
_Do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?_ *Romans 2:4*
Did you hear it? *IT IS THE GOODNESS OF GOD* Not the threat of his Wrath that leads men and women to true repentance.
Fear may modify behaviour for a moment, but it CANNOT transform the heart. It may restrain the hand, but it CANNOT change the will.
*ONLY LOVE HAS THE POWER TO CAPTURE A MAN'S DEEPEST DESIRES*
Only kindness has the power to break the chains of rebellion.
The tragedy is that many preachers have forgotten this.
They thunder JUDGEMENT without pointing to THE CROSS.
They lash the backs of believers with THREATS as though Christ did not already bear every STRIPE.
*BUT THE GOSPEL DOES NOT BEGIN WITH WRATH, IT BEGINS WITH LOVE*
Wrath has already been poured out. Judgement has already fallen. *JESUS HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY* That we, having died to sin, may live for *RIGHTEOUSNESS.* Read 1st Peter 2:24.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." *John 3:16*
The phrase "If you love me, keep my commandments" is a quote from the Bible, specifically *John 14:15.*
It highlights the idea that love for God should be expressed through obedience to His teachings and instructions.
This verse emphasizes that actions, specifically keeping God's commandments, are a tangible demonstration of love for Him.
Legalism says, “Do, and God will accept you,” while Faith says, “God has accepted me, so I am empowered to do”
What is Religion & Legalism?
By Biblical definitions, it is man’s *attempt* to accomplish *by his works* what can only be accomplished through *Christ Jesus* with the help of the Holy Spirit.
*Galatians 2:20* says, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”.
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