The effects of pleasing or displeasing God are seldom immediate. They can take a very long time. But they can be extremely powerful.
Most things we fear, its because we can see their effects quickly and clearly. Do you fear gravity? Fire? Of course, we all do.
Fear of God is the desire to learn the rules of an unseen force, so that it will never negatively affect your life. Disrespecting gravity or fire can ruin your life, but disrespecting God can ruin your soul. And conversely, fearing God can completely make you, in this life and beyond. If you fear God well, you need not fear any other thing.
..as a side note, I'm not sure which is funnier to me: Christians who don't believe the Bible, or atheists who cite the teachings of Jesus.
Ecclesiastes 8:12-13:
"Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God."
It did and it didn't. It's easy for me to understand someone's words, not so much their meaning.
For example:
Do you fear gravity? Fire? Of course, we all do.
I think I understand what you mean, but I struggle because I don't actually fear those things. I love fire, but I respect its power.
I also love gravity, because without it I wouldn't have been able to learn how to skydive :) but I have respect for the dangers it can present and take heed to plan accordingly and not dismiss those risks (lack of respect).
I know that other people fear those things, but I don't. So in a way I understand what you mean, but I don't really because it's not how I experience the world.
Oh you do so effing fear those things. You always follow their rules, because you know they can ruin you. If you experienced their full power in a scenario beyond your control, you'd crap your pants.
The book says many times to both fear and to love God. Interpret it in a way in which those two things aren't mutually exclusive, and you'll be on the right track.
The effects of pleasing or displeasing God are seldom immediate. They can take a very long time. But they can be extremely powerful.
Most things we fear, its because we can see their effects quickly and clearly. Do you fear gravity? Fire? Of course, we all do.
Fear of God is the desire to learn the rules of an unseen force, so that it will never negatively affect your life. Disrespecting gravity or fire can ruin your life, but disrespecting God can ruin your soul. And conversely, fearing God can completely make you, in this life and beyond. If you fear God well, you need not fear any other thing.
..as a side note, I'm not sure which is funnier to me: Christians who don't believe the Bible, or atheists who cite the teachings of Jesus.
Ecclesiastes 8:12-13:
"Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God."
It's not that I don't believe the Bible, I don't understand the Bible.
However, I have contact with Jesus and he teaches me what I need to know without all the confusion - and that's good enough for me.
great answer. i hope my explanation made sense to you
It did and it didn't. It's easy for me to understand someone's words, not so much their meaning.
For example:
I think I understand what you mean, but I struggle because I don't actually fear those things. I love fire, but I respect its power.
I also love gravity, because without it I wouldn't have been able to learn how to skydive :) but I have respect for the dangers it can present and take heed to plan accordingly and not dismiss those risks (lack of respect).
I know that other people fear those things, but I don't. So in a way I understand what you mean, but I don't really because it's not how I experience the world.
Not sure that makes any sense, ah well :)
Oh you do so effing fear those things. You always follow their rules, because you know they can ruin you. If you experienced their full power in a scenario beyond your control, you'd crap your pants.
The book says many times to both fear and to love God. Interpret it in a way in which those two things aren't mutually exclusive, and you'll be on the right track.