Today, points are shared on awe, fear of the Lord, and the experience of growth within ones imparted Spirit. Fear of death, hell, punishment, or rejection by GOD are not the same as fear of the Lord. As the “new creation” of GOD through Jesus Christ, born again believers also must “grow up” again and become spiritually mature (i.e., balanced, complete, consistent, forward-looking, and stable). Sinners will be gradually changed as they pursue such goals as acquiring sacred knowledge; maintaining a healthy prayer life that expresses gratitude, praise, respect and reverence; and interacting with other members within the community of faith. Earthy, emotional and psychological states of fear (such as alarm, apprehension, anxiety, dread, foreboding, hysteria, panic, and premonition) are reactions and responses that come by focus upon what is traumatic, or what is unknown. In contrast, fear of the Lord emerges through encounter, prophecy and revelation that increasingly expose and correctly make known the true character, nature, and will of divinity. Because fear of the Lord is by operation of the Holy Spirit, a believer’s proper responses are to accept, obey, surrender, tarry, and trust. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (required profile information not displayed) posted the following:
How can I keep my fear of God?
So I have feared god and I know what he has in plan for unrepentant sinners, but I keep losing my fear, even if I remind myself of the sheer horror of Hell. any ideas?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (Mark 10: 17-21, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: All Who Express Divinity (06/21/2016); Correct Awe and Respect (02/04/2016); Awe? (08/09/2015); Why Believers Fear (09/09/2014); Freedom of Foul Speech? (09/10/2014); Fear & GOD? (12/30/2013); Continuously Tested (12/31/2013); The Fear of GOD (10/30/2012); Saved in Childbearing? (10/31/2012)
“Anonymous”, look to the cross, and trust. For mature Christian believers, “fear of the Lord” is another name for “awe”, the correct recognition that GOD is exalted, lofty, most excellent, and preeminent. The awesomeness of GOD is unchanging, and neither decreases nor increases over time; thus, the GODhead is understood as immortal, immutable, incorruptible, and omnipotent. Ones continuing consciousness of divinity is imparted and maintained through deposits of spirit content from the makeup of Deity. Inseparable aspects of divinity—where you find some measure of one you find some (not necessarily the same) measure of all the others—must be in place that include faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. A sinner will experience exchanges, interaction, and movement to establish balance and order among and between these elements as “growing pains,” new life, and spiritual growth. As finite beings, there will be many times when we seem to be losing or missing an aspect of divine fullness, yet, it is only that they are in continual process and transition. Thus, there will be periods when affliction, joy, or divine love may seem to overshadow caution, restraint, and fear of the Lord. This explains somewhat why faith and trust are more relevant to being in relationship with GOD through Jesus Christ than are secular knowledge, intellect, logic, philosophy, recall, science, sensations of the flesh (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, etc.), and technology. The many operations of GOD that result as redemption and salvation are “driven” and fueled by grace, divine prerogative, and eternal purpose, more than by human ambition, desire, emotion, lust, or passion. Consider again how some of this is stated in the language of the Bible:
(1.) Proverbs 9: 9-11, King James Version (KJV): 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
(2.) Job 8: 11-15, KJV: 11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? 12 Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb. 13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish: 14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web. 15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.
(3.) Philippians 2: 13, KJV: 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
(4.) Proverbs 3: 5-6 , KJV: 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
There is far more that to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood. (For example, born again believers have been given reliable promises from GOD, thus all are counseled to persevere: (5.) Philippians 1: 6, KJV: 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment