Pastor Ralph Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Q2. (Malachi 2:5; 1 John 4:18) What does it mean to “fear God” in Old Testament days? Should we “fear God” now, as Christian believers? How does fear of God interface with our love for God? How does our love change the fear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted November 4, 2017 Report Share Posted November 4, 2017 On 8/15/2017 at 3:45 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q2. (Malachi 2:5; 1 John 4:18) What does it mean to “fear God” in Old Testament days? In that time "fear God" meant reverent and worshipful fear and with which the priests would stand in awe of His name. What went with that was the knowledge that to disobey the Law of God meant punishment, sometimes for the whole nation for priests flagrant disobedience. Should we “fear God” now, as Christian believers? No, we have no reason to ever fear (be afraid of) our loving Father, but we are to reverently worship Him and stand in Awe of His Name. How does fear of God interface with our love for God? God's wrath over sin was poured out upon Jesus on the Cross, so that we will never have to experience it or His anger.(That is reserved for those who consistently reject Him) We love Him because He first loved us! There is no fear or dread in love, because perfect love removes every trace of fear and expels every trace of terror which brings with it the thought of punishment. We can expect loving discipline and correction to mold us into the image of our Savior.(1 John 4) How does our love change the fear? Rom. 8-15 The Spirit which you have now received is not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption (the Spirit producing son-ship) in the bliss of which we cry Abba (Daddy) Father! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted November 5, 2017 Report Share Posted November 5, 2017 Realize the fact that He is the highest -- no other god comes close. He is the creator, sustainer of the world. We want to fear what will happen to us if we disobey. to reverence Him, with love and a desire to please Him. We realize there is no condemnation for us anymore as a child of God. We are saved. Our love for Him grows & grows. Yet we still reverence Him & respect Him. We know we can trust Him at His Word. Our faith grows as we rely more & more upon Him. Understanding He is our heavenly Father. Our love blossoms in our obedience to Him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blezed Posted November 6, 2017 Report Share Posted November 6, 2017 On 8/15/2017 at 6:45 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q2. (Malachi 2:5; 1 John 4:18) What does it mean to “fear God” in Old Testament days? To "fear God" meant they were to reverence Him. They were not to be terrified of God but must have great respect for him. Should we “fear God” now, as Christian believers? Yes, we should "fear God". Not in the sense of being terrified but reverence Him to the point that we fear his punishment when we disobey his commands. How does fear of God interface with our love for God? How does our love change the fear? Fear of God interface with our love for God because as we mature that fear should turn into love. Our actions are no longer motivated by fear but our love for God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted November 7, 2017 Report Share Posted November 7, 2017 I think that the meaning of “fear God” is to be respectful of the things that He has done for us. We are to reverence Him and not use His name in vain. This to me is the meaning in the Old Testament days and as Christian believers today. Our fear of God interfaces with our love for God because we respect Him. Our love for God changes the fear because we love Him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eilen Posted November 7, 2017 Report Share Posted November 7, 2017 I think that in the Old Testament, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God. For the believer, the fear of God is reverence of God, the hope of sharing in His Father’s kingdom. Since, they are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, they should be thankful, and worship God with reverence and awe. Our love of God gives us a great affection for God which is based on trust. We open ourselves to Him because we have great confidence in His care and guidance over our lives. We are willing to take risks because we trust Him, knowing that He is always there for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertha Posted November 8, 2017 Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 Q2. (Malachi 2:5; 1 John 4:18) What does it mean to “fear God” in Old Testament days? Should we “fear God” now, as Christian believers? How does fear of God interface with our love for God? How does our love change the fear? To fear God was to reverence Him. Acknowledge that He only is the True God. To worship other gods would bring condemnation on you and your family, even the whole nation. To fear God was to obey His statues, commandments, laws, decrees. Our fear of the Lord should be the same now as it was then. He continues to be Yahweh, Jehovah, God Almighty, our Creator, Holy, deserving of all honor and respect. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The punishment for sin is still death, yet for all who turn to Jesus and in His redemptive work on the cross, shall be saved. Knowing this, and accepting this gift should create in us a grateful heart. So, to fear God is to love God and revere Him. To fear God is to graciously obey His commands and do His will. As we grow into an intimate relationship with our Father, we experience His amazing grace and love for us. We grow to love God, and understand His ways, his thoughts, His heart. This love drives away all fear. Understanding that because He loves us He disciplines us. Though we experience heartbreaks, sufferings, infirmities, we learn to trust that God is in control and will see us through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted November 9, 2017 Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 Q2. (Malachi 2:5; 1 John 4:18) What does it mean to "fear God" in Old Testament days? Should we "fear God" now, as Christian believers? How does fear of God interface with our love for God? How does our love change the fear? In the OT days to “fear God” meant to trust and obey Him with reverence. Much like Christians believers today. Only we repent of our sins and put our trust in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, and then live for Him wholeheartedly and devotedly. This is not a dreadful fear, but rather a loving respect. We read in Deuteronomy 6:5 that we are to: “love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). We must know that God hates sin and will punish those that wilfully sin. So, we should be living in humble reverence to Him, and be aware of His disciplining us if we do not live our lives in such a way that pleases Him. But when He disciplines us we must know that He is doing it for our best will. However, God is love, and perfect love drives out fear. I am assured of the Lord's love because He sent His Son to die for me. “God shows is love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). This means that I can look to the future with confidence and without fear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted November 9, 2017 Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 Q2. (Malachi 2:5; 1 John 4:18) Q. What does it mean to "fear God" in Old Testament days? A. To relate with Him with to total respect without belittling Him Q. Should we "fear God" now, as Christian believers? A. YES but not like the fear we will have for a lion or a terror but revere Him as Might and Father that deserves our respect and honour Q. How does fear of God interface with our love for God? How does our love change the fear? A. Our love for God who first loved us died for us to live should lead us love and fear Him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dave Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 Q2. (Malachi 2:5; 1 John 4:18) What does it mean to "fear God" in Old Testament days? Should we "fear God" now, as Christian believers? How does fear of God interface with our love for God? How does our love change the fear? Fear of God in the OT days meant looking upon Him in a state of total awe and reverence. Respect for His laws and precepts. Living in the knowledge of the fact that doing so, reaped blessings but one also had to know that if you didn’t live accordingly there was also the fear of what the results would be, which could range anywhere from no rain to captivity. We should always revere God for ALL the things He does. Not all things that take place seem pleasing to us, but God is in control and if we really believe that, we believe that what is happening is either because He caused it or allowed it, and all happens according to His purpose in the long run. A “healthy” fear in this case gravitates toward love. A fear of being whooped (when & where I grew up the rod was always waiting on the poor, rebellious soul), brought about a discipline for parents and other elder people in the process of growing up that quickly develops into love, like as in your neighbors saying something to the tune of “yeah, he/she is a good person and I strongly recommend them” vs something like “watched him/her grow up and trouble always followed their footsteps” type of thing. God also punishes the rebellious with the hopes of getting their attention before it’s too late (a personal belief). When we fear God, we do as He would have us do and not what we would like to do. This isn’t nowhere as bad as it sounds to an unbeliever who can never understand why so many things keep going wrong. When we no longer fear reprisals, we are at liberty for as long as we respect that. Doing things which please God actually pleasurable and it removes the fear of His wrath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinstonY Posted November 15, 2017 Report Share Posted November 15, 2017 Q2. (Malachi 2:5; 1 John 4:18) What does it mean to “fear God” in Old Testament days? Should we “fear God” now, as Christian believers? How does fear of God interface with our love for God? How does our love change the fear? to fear God in Old Testament days meant to have a loving fear off displeasing God and the consequence there off. Yes we should fear God nowadays for there can be consequences for displeasing God. If we love God then we will fear the consequences of not a pleasing him. Fearing God is about respecting God and his power and His glory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted November 17, 2020 Report Share Posted November 17, 2020 Fearing God in the Old Testament meant and still means today to have an awesome respect for the Lord our God. To treat Him with respect in all things, in thought, word and deed. We must do this in every situation no matter what is going on. We need to understand that Our Heavenly Father will discipline us if we are sinful and displeasing Him.Until we respect the wrath of our Heavenly Father we do not truly love Him. Our fear of God interfaces with our love of God when we move from fearing God to loving God. This is when we are no longer motivated to action by fear of punishment from God but by our love for Him. We must not be terrified of God but we must have a healthy respect for Him and all things holy that we have access to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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