The fear and love of God

Brotherly Spirit said:

Considering the Jews until Christ and the Gentiles who were brought to him. One had the law of Moses being under it, but the other didn't and wasn't under the law. This would make sense of what seems as if two different teachings or Gospels were taught, one by Jesus and the other by the Paul. Which compares to the differences but similarities of John the Baptist before, then the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We need to see that the twelve Apostles were anointed by God to establish the Church, and while they had some failure in flesh as ALL man, they were setting forth what the Church is and should be in practice to obey and honor God. One should read it in that sense.

Though the Gentiles didn't keep the law of Moses, Acts of the Apostles 10:2 and Acts of the Apostles 16:14 give examples of two who believed and worshiped God. Both Cornelius and Lydia had sought or were seeking God before Peter and Paul met them. Also not yet knowing of the Gospel or Jesus. Obviously not every man and woman is open to accepting God's word or Jesus Christ. True regardless of identity, Jew or Gentile and male or female etc.

So what is it that softens our hard hearts and gives us soft hearts made of flesh? It seems fear of God, Acts of the Apostles 10:2 which says "Cornelius feared God along with giving alms and always praying". Then one is prepared to receive The Gospel of Jesus as it seems in Acts of the Apostles 16:14, it says "which worshiped God, who heard us: who's heart the Lord opened".

A faithful and Godly heart DOES "soften" the heart to learn the way and mind of God. One must first believe in the Creator-God and have an earnest desire to know His "...great salvation" in His "...beloved Son", to begin to find ETERNAL salvation ---which is in receiving the Lord Jesus as lord of one's life and even best friend. God sees a true confession of Him and then will lead one to enter into faith (John 14:6; Rom. 1:16 & Rom. 5); also SEALING that faithful one forever as a "child of God".

Was Cornelius' fear separate from keeping the law of Moses, a matter of humility before God? Did Lydia fear God too before her heart was opened? It's said even the demons or evil spirits believe but they don't have faith entrusting their lives or souls to God. Is it safe to say the fear of God caused belief in Cornelius and Lydia, but then the love of God caused faith in Jesus?

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