Is your God too nice. Or the fear of God is beginning of Wisdom

It’s nearly 2am in the morning and just had a dream that I posted this thread
on CC.

But as the title says is your God too nice.

Do you worship a holy all consuming fire kind of God, who deserves our
reverence our respect, our awe and our obedience. (This is not a Works
grace thread by the way, so please don’t turn it into one).

Or do you follow and worship a fairy god mother or a genie in a lamp
which you take out on occasions when you want something.

Is your God a sickly sweet pushover God or a roaring untameable lion.

Is your God the Son a nice man who gave up His life on the cross a helpless,
quivering torn body who rose again for you because He is nice. Or is He a
powerful, all seeing all knowing, holding everything in His hands, kind of
Jesus who will judge the living and the dead.

Are you more afraid of the words and authority if your boss who has the
power to sack you, than your Holy Living God.

The following also came to mind

https://www.crossway.org/articles/t...reaches-sinners-in-the-hands-of-an-angry-god/

On this day in history, Jonathan Edwards started a sermon that he did not finish. Such was the impact of his preaching that the people listening shrieked and cried out, and the crying and weeping became so loud that Edwards was forced to discontinue the sermon. Instead, the pastors went down among the people and prayed with them in groups. Many came to a saving knowledge of Christ that day.

Lord forgive me for treating you with disrespect, for not understanding your true nature.
For the times I forget exactly who I am dealing with. Help me to get the balance right.
To know your Lordship over all the earth, to understand your unfathomable love for
mankind who you made a little lower than the angels.

To appreciate the price you paid and the terrible eternity that awaits those who do
not fear you and have no wisdom. To learn to follow, trust and obey in the right way
from the right mind set. Amen

There I’ve got that off my chest I can go back to sleep now. lol

The problem with this question is that it's written in a human's perspective...so the question itself is flawed.

God is holy, loving, and powerful.
God Bless ♥

Isn't God both loving and fearsome?

Quite the astronomical question.

Yup I think I said that.

Some people say that the fear of the LORD is reverence towards Him, and cannot be actually fearing Him for they were chosen, and cannot lose salvation, so what is there to fear.

But that is not what the Bible says Old or New Testament.

Pro 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Pro 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil, and not want to do it.

Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Only those that fear the LORD will be able to truly understand His holy word, which only those that hate evil, and depart from it understand His word.

Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Jesus said fear God for He is able to punish you for not obeying Him, and not departing from evil.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

If a person has received the knowledge of the truth, but they sin anyway, hold unto sin, then the blood of Jesus cannot wash it away.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil, and depart form evil, for God will punish all people who engage in sins, and hold unto sins.

So why do some people say it means reverence towards God, and not the meaning of the Bible that it means God will punish all sins, so depart from sin and do not do it.

Because they believe they cannot fall so sins do not affect their relationship with God.

Which it is a wrong perspective of the word of God, and they do not fear the LORD because they hang unto sin and think they have a relationship with God.

If they say they cannot abstain from sin then they are holding unto sin, and do not understand the fear of the LORD.

2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

They think they are alright despite their sins, and have a form of living for God, but deny being led of the Spirit because of their sins of the flesh, and ever learning, and never able to come to the truth, for their flesh gets in the way, and they will not let go of all of the flesh.

God said to turn away from those people, so people that say they cannot abstain from sin, and sin does not affect their relationship with God, He said turn away from them, for they do not have the right perspective of truth, and do not fear the LORD thinking they have no punishment for them holding unto sin.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

They do not hate sin like they should, and if they did hate sin, and did not want it, then they would not deny being led of the Spirit, in which they could abstain from sin.

They say fear of the LORD means reverence instead of it meaning depart from sin, and do not do it for God will punish all people who hold unto to sin.

Because they think they cannot fall so sin cannot affect their relationship with God, because they know they sin, and enjoy it, and if they cannot fall then their sin does not cause them to be wrong with God.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

The Lord knows them that are His having this seal that they depart from iniquity, but not all have the knowledge of God.

They do not fear the LORD but enjoy sins, and say they cannot abstain from sins, and think there will be no punishment for holding unto sins.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil, and depart from evil, which we see many people do not fear the LORD thinking they are alright despite their sins.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and only those that have the right perspective of truth will be able to truly understand His word, but some do not fear the LORD which they are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, for they think they are alright despite their sins.

Well it depends are you looking at God from the perspective of a sinner or a saint.
I know my God is almighty, but He is also Father to me. So the roaring lion thing? Thats actually the devil.
And yes My heavenly Father did give his only son for us. I believe Him.
Yes God did appear to Moses as a burning bush and a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. But that was then. That was before Jesus appeared and came into our lives with the gift of the Holy spirit who is called the comforter. Who comes to dwell within us believers. I dont have a lion inside of me. i have the Lamb of God.

Thanks for sharing Miri

Great dream and a great message especially for these days we are living in. I BELIEVE its of the LORD

We should all SELF-EXAMINE ourselves.

Great post miri.
Despite what some say or do we all create God in our own image in many ways. Remembering that he is a Holy God and changes not seems to allude our thoughts at times . I believe this is one of the reasons the Holy Spirit kept careful watch on what has been penned and how.
The Lord says that his ways and thoughts are higher beyond our understand and it is by the Holy Spirit that understanding may be given.
Sadly most go to the internet for answers not realizing that in some cases they are given another's opinion and not the truth.

Great post miri.
Despite what some say or do we all create God in our own image in many ways. Remembering that he is a Holy God and changes not seems to allude our thoughts at times . I believe this is one of the reasons the Holy Spirit kept careful watch on what has been penned and how.
The Lord says that his ways and thoughts are higher beyond our understand and it is by the Holy Spirit that understanding may be given.
Sadly most go to the internet for answers not realizing that in some cases they are given another's opinion and not the truth.

Many people serve God through fear. Fear of being tortured forever in flames. Others start out that way and learn more of God and their own natures, then they start serving in love. If they are doing it right, they will learn how much like God we are not. We learn to hate the ways of our flesh, but the old man still seems to pop up occasionally.

God does not want us serving Him out of fear: 2 Tim. 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." If tormented, you can't grow.

That is why God tells us He will remember our sins no more. Isa. 43:25 "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

The roaring lion is Satan that tries to put a guilt trip on us to keep us from growing in Christ. If he can convince us we are not savable, we will just give up. Quit dwelling on your sins and learn to go forward and sin no more. Tell Satan you are forgiven and to quit bothering you.

Jesus is described as gentle, meek, and humble in heart and there is a pleasantness about his manner. Simply by reading some of his words you can feel the comfort and kindness in them. In this way, Jesus was nice because of his kindness and he was pleasant to be around. However Jesus was no pushover. He showed his bold side as well and stood up for justice and the oppressed. Jesus sometimes sounded harsh when speaking to certain religious leaders but some of these leaders were themselves putting heavy burdens on the people. Jesus knew with whom and when to be gentle or be more firm or strict. There is a time for both.

Absolutely.

I think the other problem is this word “fear”

Maybe another way of thinking of it’s holy awe for the creator of the universe.
Realisation that we are like grass and know nothing compared to His greatness.

There are instances when people in the bible demonstrated scary terrified fear.
They were told do not be afraid. Which is why I think there is a difference in genuine
terrified human fear and holy fear.

Holy fear or awe, I think shows respect, humbleness, with an attitude which
puts itself under the authority of God. That doesn’t rule out love.
It’s possible it be the above plus love someone.

Not a very good analogy but children should have respect and are under the
authority of their parents but they still love their parents. Whereas parents love
their children but still wish they would do as they are told for their own good!


We are all under the authority of someone.
children - parents
Employee -employer


Even Jesus commended the centurion for recognising this.
But sometimes I think that people (myself included) don’t
always give the respect and awe he deserves.

Is God becoming a watered down “sugar and spice and all things nice” type of God.


Revelation 1:17 NKJV
[17] And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand
on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.


Luke 2:9-10 NKJV
[9] And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord
shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. [10] Then the angel said to
them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which
will be to all people.


Matthew 8:8-10 NKJV
[8] The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should
come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.
[9] For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I
say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes;
and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." [10] When Jesus heard it,
He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you,
I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!