Obedience Comes by Fear, but Faith by Hearing!

Bro.T

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Many of us hear the word of God but we will see in the scriptures that Fear bring forth Obedience. Once you really sit down and study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation you will see that God means what he says and can't lie. We in the days where the great punishment comes at the end (Lake of Fire). But those of us who walk in the word of God knows that sometome we have to be chastening by God for correction. Paul says in Hebrew 12: My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

But theres a everlasting punishment for those who refuse to be corrected. Jesus says in Luke 12: 4,5 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

But Let's go back to the beginning and see how the Lord dealt with his people and get some understanding on how we should we wise and be obedient.

Let’s go into Joshua 3: 1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]tim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 7 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan. 13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. 15 and as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) 16 that the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. 17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

We see that God magnified Joshua so the people would have the same fear they had towards Moses.

Let’s continue in Joshua 4:1 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. 14 On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life. 15 And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, 16 Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan. 17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan. 18 And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before. 23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: 24 that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.

God knows with out fear, people will not obey him.

Let’s go to 1 Samuel 16: 1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

See how the people trembled because Samuel wielded the power of God as his priest.

Let’s go into Proverbs 1: 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; The words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction. 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof:

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own devices. 32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, And the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.



to be continue...
 
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Bro.T

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Let's take a look at some of the disobedient mindsets in the word of God. We must understand that the Lord have system a protocol in how he works. We have to understand that some people will not obey the Lord.

Let’s go into Romans 10: 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Animal Sacrificial Law) 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

This law is referring to the animal sacrificial law that was nail to the cross. When Jesus die on the cross the veil of the temple rent from top to bottom, ending the animal sacrificial law.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

So like in the days of Abraham, theres was no animal Sacrificial law, but righteousness with God, keeping his Commandments.

Let’s go into Jeremiah 3: 14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: 15 and I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Let’s go into Ecclesiastes 12: 9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

So we see the Lord will give Pastors to feed the flocks and people. And not those people who have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

Let’s go into Romans 10: 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, Their sound went into all the earth, And their words unto the ends of the world.

Let’s take a look at what Paul is saying in Isaiah 53: 1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

So this who Paul is quoting, the prophet Isaiah. The scribes and Pharisee didn't believe the report, and in these times some Christian won't read the Old Testament.

Let’s go to Matthew 15: 1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 and honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Let’s go into Isaiah 29: 9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. 10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: 12 and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14 therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. 16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

If you pay close attention to some Christian people, thing are being done that's not written in the book.


to be continue....
 
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fhansen

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Many of us hear the word of God but we will see in the scriptures that Fear bring forth Obedience. Once you really sit down and study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation you will see that God means what he says and can't lie. We in the days where the great punishment comes at the end (Lake of Fire). But those of us who walk in the word of God knows that sometome we have to be chastening by God for correction. Paul says in Hebrew 12: My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

But theres a everlasting punishment for those who refuse to be corrected. Jesus says in Luke 12: 4,5 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

But Let's go back to the beginning and see how the Lord dealt with his people and get some understanding on how we should we wise and be obedient.

Let’s go into Joshua 3: 1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]tim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 7 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan. 13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. 15 and as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) 16 that the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. 17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

We see that God magnified Joshua so the people would have the same fear they had towards Moses.

Let’s continue in Joshua 4:1 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. 14 On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life. 15 And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, 16 Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan. 17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan. 18 And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before. 23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: 24 that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.

God knows with out fear, people will not obey him.

Let’s go to 1 Samuel 16: 1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

See how the people trembled because Samuel wielded the power of God as his priest.

Let’s go into Proverbs 1: 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; The words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction. 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof:

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own devices. 32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, And the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.



to be continue...
Lasting authentic obedience comes by love, which increasingly "casts out fear" (1 John 4:18) even if it may begin with fear. I've come to appreciate a quote from a 4th century believer, Basil of Caesarea:
If we turn away from evil out of fear of punishment, we are in the position of slaves. If we pursue the enticement of wages, . . . we resemble mercenaries. Finally if we obey for the sake of the good itself and out of love for him who commands . . . we are in the position of children.

And it all begins with faith.
 
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BobRyan

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Satan has a kingdom of fear - God has a kingdom of love.

When we ask "why don'/t children unbuckle their seat belts and open their car doors while the parents drive them down the highway" - is our response normally "because they are afraid of their parents"??

When we ask "why don't children place their hands on hot stoves every day"? is our response normally "because they are afraid of their parents"?

In a free will system right choices can be driven by compelling evidence and also by trust. Fear of authority/police/fines is not the only form of motivation. But it is one of them.
 
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Satan has a kingdom of fear - God has a kingdom of love.

When we ask "why don'/t children unbuckle their seat belts and open their car doors while the parents drive them down the highway" - is our response normally "because they are afraid of their parents"??

When we ask "why don't children place their hands on hot stoves every day"? is our response normally "because they are afraid of their parents"?

In a free will system right choices can be driven by compelling evidence and also by trust. Fear of authority/police/fines is not the only form of motivation. But it is one of them.

Yet, that is not entirely accurate to the whole truth of the whole counsel of God's Word. While God's kingdom is a kingdom of love, it is not tolerant of sin and or free of any kind of judgments against sin (i.e. Hence, the fear of the Lord found in Scripture in many places).

“And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” (Jude 1:23).

“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” (Proverbs 16:6).

Philippians 2:12 says, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Why all the trembling if it is not talking about fear?

In Acts of the Apostles 5:1-11, we learn that a great fear came upon the church when Ananias and Sapphira had lied to God about the money involving their giving.
 
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bling

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Our motivation is to be out of a cmpelling Love (a gratitude type Love) and not out of "fear". Discipline just helps us do in learning and Loving all the more. (a Child correctly accepting Loving just disciplne develops a better stronger relationship with the Parent).
 
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Our motivation is to be out of a cmpelling Love (a gratitude type Love) and not out of "fear". Discipline just helps us do in learning and Loving all the more. (a Child correctly accepting Loving just disciplne develops a better stronger relationship with the Parent).

But when there is no fear of God it is not a good thing.

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:18).

In 2 Timothy 3:1-9 we read about those who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. They had a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.

Over, and over and over again, the Bible warns us to fear the Lord.
Why? Because of our sin. Our sin can destroy our souls.
We have to decide which master we will choose to serve in this life.
Our pleasure or sin, or the Lord.
The battle might be difficult, but we must fight the good fight of faith.
Yes, God is love, and God can be loving, and we can be compelled by that love, but we must first understand the fear of the Lord. If we do not fear God, then we can just justify sin with the thinking we are saved. Yet, God cannot agree with sin or with our thinking we can sin and still be saved.
For the moment a person makes it all about love and no fear, they can send the wrong message in that we can sin and still be saved because God is so loving that He will understand when you sin, and He will just save us anyways even if we don't repent or change. But that's not how things work.
 
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Most today just want to hear only the good things and they don't want to face the music that there is a fear of God in that we can be destroyed by sin.

Isaiah 30:10 says:
“Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:”
 
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bling

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But when there is no fear of God it is not a good thing.

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:18).

In 2 Timothy 3:1-9 we read about those who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. They had a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.

Over, and over and over again, the Bible warns us to fear the Lord.
Why? Because of our sin. Our sin can destroy our souls.
We have to decide which master we will choose to serve in this life.
Our pleasure or sin, or the Lord.
The battle might be difficult, but we must fight the good fight of faith.
Yes, God is love, and God can be loving, and we can be compelled by that love, but we must first understand the fear of the Lord. If we do not fear God, then we can just justify sin with the thinking we are saved. Yet, God cannot agree with sin or with our thinking we can sin and still be saved.
For the moment a person makes it all about love and no fear, they can send the wrong message in that we can sin and still be saved because God is so loving that He will understand when you sin, and He will just save us anyways even if we don't repent or change. But that's not how things work.
We personally are the ones making the free will choice to sin, so fearing (being frighten of) ourselves might be a better perspective then fearing (being frighten of) God who is only out to help us. We do not have to “fear” satan, since we are on the offence against satan with the victory being the Lord’s. God does not send us to hell, but we ourselves send ourselves to hell.

We are not trying to prevent God from doing anything, since He always does what is right and Loving. We are the ones who make mistakes, so quit counting on self and turn to God for help.

Fear (being frighten) is a great motivator for the hell bound unbelieving sinner, but in a Christian Love drives out fear. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
 
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We personally are the ones making the free will choice to sin, so fearing (being frighten of) ourselves might be a better perspective then fearing (being frighten of) God who is only out to help us. We do not have to “fear” satan, since we are on the offence against satan with the victory being the Lord’s. God does not send us to hell, but we ourselves send ourselves to hell.

We are not trying to prevent God from doing anything, since He always does what is right and Loving. We are the ones who make mistakes, so quit counting on self and turn to God for help.

Fear (being frighten) is a great motivator for the hell bound unbelieving sinner, but in a Christian Love drives out fear. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

How does one have perfect love so as to cast out fear?

“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 2:5).

This is not what most churches teach unfortunately.

So obedience to God brings a believer to a place where there is no fear. But if one is disobeying God, then they should fear.

“But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” (Romans 13:4).
 
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We personally are the ones making the free will choice to sin, so fearing (being frighten of) ourselves might be a better perspective then fearing (being frighten of) God who is only out to help us. We do not have to “fear” satan, since we are on the offence against satan with the victory being the Lord’s. God does not send us to hell, but we ourselves send ourselves to hell.

We are not trying to prevent God from doing anything, since He always does what is right and Loving. We are the ones who make mistakes, so quit counting on self and turn to God for help.

Fear (being frighten) is a great motivator for the hell bound unbelieving sinner, but in a Christian Love drives out fear. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Believers can sin, too. They are to fear God if they do. For be not deceived, the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (See: Galatians 5:19-21).
 
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to be continue...
John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Consider the goodness and the severity of God!
Romans 11:
19 You will say then, Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.
20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith.
Do not be haughty, but fear.
21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.
22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity;
but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise....
you also will be cut off.
 
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We personally are the ones making the free will choice to sin, so fearing (being frighten of) ourselves might be a better perspective then fearing (being frighten of) God who is only out to help us. We do not have to “fear” satan, since we are on the offence against satan with the victory being the Lord’s. God does not send us to hell, but we ourselves send ourselves to hell.

We are not trying to prevent God from doing anything, since He always does what is right and Loving. We are the ones who make mistakes, so quit counting on self and turn to God for help.

Fear (being frighten) is a great motivator for the hell bound unbelieving sinner, but in a Christian Love drives out fear. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.


Side Note:

I do not agree with the author of the video entirely on the topic in regards to love the sinner and hate their sin. But I do agree with him in that many paint an inaccurate picture of Jesus in that He was always loving (in the fact that He turned a blind eye to sin).
 
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com7fy8

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God knows with out fear, people will not obey him.
There is good fear which has people obeying God . . . including > obeying how our Father rules us in His own peace >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

So, I see that godly fear has us submissive so we can submit to how God rules us in His peace . . . and this includes staying attentive to God.
 
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Bro.T

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There is good fear which has people obeying God . . . including > obeying how our Father rules us in His own peace >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

So, I see that godly fear has us submissive so we can submit to how God rules us in His peace . . . and this includes staying attentive to God.

What you saying remind me what James says in 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
 
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Bro.T

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Lasting authentic obedience comes by love, which increasingly "casts out fear" (1 John 4:18) even if it may begin with fear. I've come to appreciate a quote from a 4th century believer, Basil of Caesarea:
If we turn away from evil out of fear of punishment, we are in the position of slaves. If we pursue the enticement of wages, . . . we resemble mercenaries. Finally if we obey for the sake of the good itself and out of love for him who commands . . . we are in the position of children.

And it all begins with faith.


That's pretty good, I like that!
 
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Let’s go into Revelation 2: 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

The Nicolaitans have taken it upon themselves to declare they are God’s priest but they aren’t.
Nico means conquer and Laitans (Laity) people

The church in Pergamos is the Roman Catholicism and the doctrine of Balaam corrupt the people.

Let’s go to Revelation 13: 1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Now in Daniel 7: 1-8 he breaks down the Seven heads, which are the Gentile dynasty.

Let's take a look at some situation that happen by not pay attention to protocol. These little details are very important to understand.

Let’s go into 1 Chronicles 13: 6 And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it. 7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. 8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. 9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. 11 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. 12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me? 13 So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 14 And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had.

Let’s skip right over to 1 Chronicles 15: 1 And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. 2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. 11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, 12 and said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. 13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. 14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. 15 And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.

another situation….

Let’s go into Number 21: 4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. 10 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth.

So we see that the people who had faith (Belief) in what God told Moses, looked upon the serpent of brass and was healed. Those who didn’t look died, because of no faith.

Another Situation….


Let’t take a look Jonah 1: 1 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. 4 But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. 6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. 7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. 8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? 9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. 10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. 11 Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. 12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. 15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. 16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. 17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Now Nineveh is the Assyria, they took out the 9 tribes of Israel from Samaria. The 10th tribe, Levi returned ti Judah. So Jonah tried to flee from God’s commandment to go to Nineveh, but we see that you can’t hide from God.

Let’s continue in Jonah 2: 1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, 10 And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

Let’s continue in Jonah 3: 1 And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. 3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey. 4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. 5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. 6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? 10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

So out of fear of the Lord, Jonah went to Nineveh to warn the people there, and out of faith (belief) in God’s word and fear, the people of Nineveh repented and God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
 
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