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.
If I follow their rules it's because I've learned that not to do so can kill me. That's a logical choice, not a fear based response.
I've been in situations where everything went to hell very quickly and was convinced I was going to die as a result. I didn't crap my pants (which would have been understandable). That's what I mean when I say I don't experience fear in the usual way.
It is going to be difficult for me to interpret a fear of God when I don't really understand what that means.
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.
If I follow their rules it's because I've learned that not to do so can kill me. That's a logical choice, not a fear based response.
I've been in situations where everything went to hell very quickly and was convinced I was going to die as a result. I didn't crap my pants (which would have been understandable). That's what I mean when I say I don't experience fear in the usual way.
It is going to be difficult for me to interpret a fear of God when I don't really understand what that means.