FEAR OF GOD
Do we know what faith in God is, means, or implies? Most Christians don’t know based on what I see they write on the Internet. They don’t know that faith in Jesus, or faith in God is a two-way street. They think that faith in God is a one-way street based on the teachings of the Apostle Paul.
Do they know what fear of God is? No, they don’t know that either. Why? Because God rarely strikes death those who show no fear of God. Who fears God?
I want to talk a little about the Prophet Abraham. Prophet Abraham is one of my favorite prophets. His story fascinates me, especially when I read his story that involves Sarah and Hagar. Abraham was able to solve a complex relationship between him, Sarah, and Hagar, and made it into a simple relationship. And because of what he did, or what they did, God fulfills His promises to all three.
I am not going into more details about them other than talking about Abraham. God promised Sarah and Abraham that they would have a child (son). After the child was born, they named their son Isaac. God promised that He will bless Abraham and make him a great nation. God said that all the nation will be blessed through him. Abraham fears God. One day when Isaac was a young boy, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. When Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son, God said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only [son], from Me." Genesis 22:12.
What motivates Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac? Was it faith, God’s promises that he will be a great nation or fear of God? This is what God said to Abraham, “I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son, your only [son], from Me." Genesis 22:12.
I believe what God said to Abraham, that fear of God motivates him to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Fear of God is what motivates Abraham to do what God had told him to do, the Bible says.
So, what motivates us to do what He wants us to do for Him, was it faith, God’s promises that He will take us to heaven, or was it fear of God?
I think if we have no fear of God, we will do nothing for God. For instance, Jesus said if we love Him we will keep His commandments. Are we keeping all of God’s commandments? No, we are not. Why not? Because we think it is not necessary. We have no fear of Him because God will do nothing to us if we don't keep the Sabbath holy, etc.
Are we complying with the IRS filing requirements? Yes, we are. Why? Because we fear the IRS will impose large monetary penalties if we do not comply.
How about the State or Federal criminal agencies? Are we complying with the Laws? Yes, we are. Why? Because we fear the police and the SWAT team might break our door or hurt us.
How about the State or Federal criminal agencies? Are we complying with the Laws? Yes, we are. Why? Because we fear the police and the SWAT team might break our door or hurt us.
Are we complying with God’s Laws and Commandments? No, we are not. Why not? Because Jesus died on the cross. Jesus will do nothing to us even if we discard the whole Bible in the trash. We have no fear of Jesus.
But Jesus said, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28. Why? Because the heat in hell will kill the body instantly, but not the soul!
Depending on how evil we were, we might be weeping and gnashing our teeth for hours, days, or weeks in hell.
That's why Jesus said, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
These words came from Jesus' mouth, not from my mouth.
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