I often hear people explain the fear of the Lord as a mere respect or reverence. But I feel as if respect or reverence does not come from fear but love. The subject becomes even more confusing to me when I read something like 1 John 4:18 that says that "perfect love expels all fear." How can we fear God while he expels all fear?
What does it mean to fear God?
- Thread starter Mary96
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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction....Jesus even told those around him who they should fear....the one who can kill and cast into hell, but like you said true love casts out fear.....I think it goes like this...
We fear and reverence God which is the beginning of knowledge...the more we learn the more faithful we become... the more faithful we become the fear begins to wane as love grows in it's place...the more we love the more we serve and as our service becomes more faithful there is no reason to fear!
We fear and reverence God which is the beginning of knowledge...the more we learn the more faithful we become... the more faithful we become the fear begins to wane as love grows in it's place...the more we love the more we serve and as our service becomes more faithful there is no reason to fear!
When i was i child, i feared my Mom a great deal. my Mom loved me dearly, and i loved her dearly, but when i did wrong, or disobeyed her, i feared her because i knew she would punish me. When peer pressure came upon me to start smoking, i did not do it, because i knew if my Mom found out about it, she would beat me with a switch and ground me for a month. So i felt that disappointment from my friends by me not smoking was less than than the punishment i would receive from my LOVING Mother.
The Fear of God is the beginning of knowledge. It is written You will reap what you sow. it is written if you sow to the flesh of the flesh you SHALL reap corruption. It is written if you do wrong, you shall be repaid for the the wrong that you did. It is written if God LOVES you He shall punish you. These are the things that you should fear from God. NOT fear God Himself, but fear God in the punishments that He will bring upon you because of your sins. This generation does not fear God, because they do not believe God punishes His children at all, they say things like God has an agape love for us, and things like Jesus took all our punishments for us. They know not the Truth, and they somehow believe they are above the Holy Scriptures. They think because they are SAVED, that "you reap what you sow" does not apply to them, because they are somehow excluded from all the Scriptures which teach "Tribulation and anguish upon every soul that does evil." There is no fear of God before those people because they do not know the God of the old testament, they do not know the God of wrath, they do not know the God that punishes all those who do wickedness, and He has no respect of persons.
i walk the straight and narrow path, because i fear God. i know if i do evil, i know if i commit a sin, i know if i do that which is wicked, that He WILL punish me as His Word plainly teaches He will, if not immediately that during the Hour of Temptation that will come upon all mankind. And when the Hour of Temptation to fall away from God comes upon all, and they reap in their flesh what they have sown in their life, they will not accept this punishment from God, which they deserve because of their own willful sinning, they will not repent and give God the Glory even during their punishment, they will curse God because they are being punished for their own sins, because they ARE reaping what they have sown, EXACTLY like the Bible teaches ALL will do. These will fall away from the Faith, because of all the Tribulation and corruption that is in their flesh.
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, all your past sins are forgiven you, and Jesus took the stripes for all those past sins.
Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins thatarepast, through the forbearance of God;
Sins that you knowingly and willingly commit AFTER HE just cleansed you and paid for those sins, is on YOU. Jesus took the stripes, and died for you, ONLY ONCE, He does not do that every time you commit another sin and another and another and another. When you accept Him as Savior and Lord, you are Righteous, Clean, Pure, Holy, Just. This He freely does for anyone who accepts Him, just as they are, no requirements except to REPENT and BELIEVE in Him. But afterwards if you freely choose to sin again, that sin is on YOU, YOU will reap what you have sown. And for most that reaping will be during the Hour of Temptation, and because many do not know and understand this Truth, will indeed fall away from God, because instead of accepting this deserved punishment from God, they will curse God because of the affliction that has come upon them, Many will fall away, but a very few will know the Truth, and realize that it is time to reap what they have sown.
Just because Jesus may forgive a particular sin, (if the person Truly repents of it, that is to say, they repent and cease to do that sin ever again) Does not mean they are excluded from reaping what they have sown, or repaying for the wrong in which they have done. Scriptures are True and cannot be broken.
Those who know this Truth, know exactly what it means to fear the Lord. If you have done wrong, then i assure you, you should fear Him.
i Love Him, He Loves me, but if i do wrong, i most assuredly fear Him.
Perfect Love does expel all fear. But what mortal lives in PERFECT LOVE?
If i live in PERFECT LOVE i do not obey the devil, if i do not obey the devil, then i have no punishment coming to me, if i have no punishment coming to me, then i have no fear. PERFECT LOVE casts out all fear. Walking in Righteousness, walking in the light, walking on the straight and narrow path should have no fear, they are walking in PERFECT LOVE, but if they do that which is unrighteous, if they walk in darkness (living in sin), if they are on the broad and wide path (back-slidden) Then they should most deffineately fear God and His punishment that will come upon them, NOT because He wants to punish them, but because He has to punish them, because His Word is True and can't be broken. If His Word says, if you sow to the flesh of the flesh you shall reap corruption. So when that corruption comes it is not because God wanted it to come upon that person, it came because God CAN'T lie. ANY person that sows to the flesh, shall reap corruption in their flesh, That is what God says, and it is True.
After hearing this Truth, Who will still not fear God? Those who do not know or understand the Truth. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. This generation has no knowledge of the Truth, because there is no fear of God before their eyes, no fear of God, no knowledge.
^i^
The Fear of God is the beginning of knowledge. It is written You will reap what you sow. it is written if you sow to the flesh of the flesh you SHALL reap corruption. It is written if you do wrong, you shall be repaid for the the wrong that you did. It is written if God LOVES you He shall punish you. These are the things that you should fear from God. NOT fear God Himself, but fear God in the punishments that He will bring upon you because of your sins. This generation does not fear God, because they do not believe God punishes His children at all, they say things like God has an agape love for us, and things like Jesus took all our punishments for us. They know not the Truth, and they somehow believe they are above the Holy Scriptures. They think because they are SAVED, that "you reap what you sow" does not apply to them, because they are somehow excluded from all the Scriptures which teach "Tribulation and anguish upon every soul that does evil." There is no fear of God before those people because they do not know the God of the old testament, they do not know the God of wrath, they do not know the God that punishes all those who do wickedness, and He has no respect of persons.
i walk the straight and narrow path, because i fear God. i know if i do evil, i know if i commit a sin, i know if i do that which is wicked, that He WILL punish me as His Word plainly teaches He will, if not immediately that during the Hour of Temptation that will come upon all mankind. And when the Hour of Temptation to fall away from God comes upon all, and they reap in their flesh what they have sown in their life, they will not accept this punishment from God, which they deserve because of their own willful sinning, they will not repent and give God the Glory even during their punishment, they will curse God because they are being punished for their own sins, because they ARE reaping what they have sown, EXACTLY like the Bible teaches ALL will do. These will fall away from the Faith, because of all the Tribulation and corruption that is in their flesh.
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, all your past sins are forgiven you, and Jesus took the stripes for all those past sins.
Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins thatarepast, through the forbearance of God;
Sins that you knowingly and willingly commit AFTER HE just cleansed you and paid for those sins, is on YOU. Jesus took the stripes, and died for you, ONLY ONCE, He does not do that every time you commit another sin and another and another and another. When you accept Him as Savior and Lord, you are Righteous, Clean, Pure, Holy, Just. This He freely does for anyone who accepts Him, just as they are, no requirements except to REPENT and BELIEVE in Him. But afterwards if you freely choose to sin again, that sin is on YOU, YOU will reap what you have sown. And for most that reaping will be during the Hour of Temptation, and because many do not know and understand this Truth, will indeed fall away from God, because instead of accepting this deserved punishment from God, they will curse God because of the affliction that has come upon them, Many will fall away, but a very few will know the Truth, and realize that it is time to reap what they have sown.
Just because Jesus may forgive a particular sin, (if the person Truly repents of it, that is to say, they repent and cease to do that sin ever again) Does not mean they are excluded from reaping what they have sown, or repaying for the wrong in which they have done. Scriptures are True and cannot be broken.
Those who know this Truth, know exactly what it means to fear the Lord. If you have done wrong, then i assure you, you should fear Him.
i Love Him, He Loves me, but if i do wrong, i most assuredly fear Him.
Perfect Love does expel all fear. But what mortal lives in PERFECT LOVE?
If i live in PERFECT LOVE i do not obey the devil, if i do not obey the devil, then i have no punishment coming to me, if i have no punishment coming to me, then i have no fear. PERFECT LOVE casts out all fear. Walking in Righteousness, walking in the light, walking on the straight and narrow path should have no fear, they are walking in PERFECT LOVE, but if they do that which is unrighteous, if they walk in darkness (living in sin), if they are on the broad and wide path (back-slidden) Then they should most deffineately fear God and His punishment that will come upon them, NOT because He wants to punish them, but because He has to punish them, because His Word is True and can't be broken. If His Word says, if you sow to the flesh of the flesh you shall reap corruption. So when that corruption comes it is not because God wanted it to come upon that person, it came because God CAN'T lie. ANY person that sows to the flesh, shall reap corruption in their flesh, That is what God says, and it is True.
After hearing this Truth, Who will still not fear God? Those who do not know or understand the Truth. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. This generation has no knowledge of the Truth, because there is no fear of God before their eyes, no fear of God, no knowledge.
^i^
J
Hi, Mary.
When it comes to I John 4:18 and properly understanding the same, it is imperative to understand what John had previously stated in this very same epistle in relation to "perfect love". For example, we read:
I John chapter 2
[3] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
[4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
[5] But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
[6] He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Here, John said that "whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected". IOW, this "perfect love" is NOT the "perfect love" which God has towards us, but rather the "perfect love" which we show towards God by keeping His Word. Remember, this is the same John who previously recorded the following Words of Jesus Christ in his gospel:
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
Again, it is in the keeping of God's commandments that WE show our "perfect love" towards Him and His commandments are not grievous:
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." (I John 5:3)
Anyhow, here's a fuller context of what John was saying in the verse which you cited:
I John chapter 4
[7] Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
[12] No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
[13] Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
[14] And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
[15] Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
[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.
[19] We love him, because he first loved us.
[20] If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
[21] And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Again, in verse 11 we are told that "if we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us". We need to understand that Jesus said that there are basically two commandments upon which ALL the law and the prophets hang, namely the following:
Matthew chapter 22
[35] Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
[36] Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
[38] This is the first and great commandment.
[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Seeing how one of these two commandments is "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself", when we consider what John said in I John 4:11, "if we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us", we can again understand that it is OUR keeping of God's commandment by which "His love is perfected in us". IOW, seeing how God Himself is love, when we walk as He walks, then we're walking in Him and "His love is perfected in us" and this is basically what John said in I John 4:16-18. Again, we read:
I John chapter 4
[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
[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.
How is "our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment"? Well, it's made perfect "because as He is, so are we in this world". IOW, when we're truly walking in love we're truly walking in God Who is love and we therefore have nothing to fear in the day of judgment.
Think of it like this:
Let's say that you were summoned to report before a judge in court tomorrow for a charge of which you knew yourself to be innocent. Would you be afraid? You shouldn't be. It's basically the same thing with God. IOW, God is the Judge (well, He's actually committed all judgment to Jesus) and God is also love. Beyond that, His law is love...even as we just read in Matthew chapter 22. As such, if we're called before a God Who is love and judged according to the law of love AND WE'VE TRULY BEEN WALKING IN LOVE, THEN WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR. Conversely, however, if we haven't truly been walking in love, then we haven't truly been walking in God and there is PLENTY to fear. Thankfully, we do have the option available to us of genuine repentance and we can be washed clean in the blood of Jesus, but this isn't some sort of game.
Hopefully, this helped.
When it comes to I John 4:18 and properly understanding the same, it is imperative to understand what John had previously stated in this very same epistle in relation to "perfect love". For example, we read:
I John chapter 2
[3] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
[4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
[5] But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
[6] He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Here, John said that "whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected". IOW, this "perfect love" is NOT the "perfect love" which God has towards us, but rather the "perfect love" which we show towards God by keeping His Word. Remember, this is the same John who previously recorded the following Words of Jesus Christ in his gospel:
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
Again, it is in the keeping of God's commandments that WE show our "perfect love" towards Him and His commandments are not grievous:
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." (I John 5:3)
Anyhow, here's a fuller context of what John was saying in the verse which you cited:
I John chapter 4
[7] Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
[12] No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
[13] Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
[14] And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
[15] Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
[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.
[19] We love him, because he first loved us.
[20] If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
[21] And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Again, in verse 11 we are told that "if we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us". We need to understand that Jesus said that there are basically two commandments upon which ALL the law and the prophets hang, namely the following:
Matthew chapter 22
[35] Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
[36] Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
[38] This is the first and great commandment.
[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Seeing how one of these two commandments is "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself", when we consider what John said in I John 4:11, "if we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us", we can again understand that it is OUR keeping of God's commandment by which "His love is perfected in us". IOW, seeing how God Himself is love, when we walk as He walks, then we're walking in Him and "His love is perfected in us" and this is basically what John said in I John 4:16-18. Again, we read:
I John chapter 4
[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
[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.
How is "our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment"? Well, it's made perfect "because as He is, so are we in this world". IOW, when we're truly walking in love we're truly walking in God Who is love and we therefore have nothing to fear in the day of judgment.
Think of it like this:
Let's say that you were summoned to report before a judge in court tomorrow for a charge of which you knew yourself to be innocent. Would you be afraid? You shouldn't be. It's basically the same thing with God. IOW, God is the Judge (well, He's actually committed all judgment to Jesus) and God is also love. Beyond that, His law is love...even as we just read in Matthew chapter 22. As such, if we're called before a God Who is love and judged according to the law of love AND WE'VE TRULY BEEN WALKING IN LOVE, THEN WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR. Conversely, however, if we haven't truly been walking in love, then we haven't truly been walking in God and there is PLENTY to fear. Thankfully, we do have the option available to us of genuine repentance and we can be washed clean in the blood of Jesus, but this isn't some sort of game.
Hopefully, this helped.
Interesting topic.
Honestly, modern day Christians do not fear God like the believers of old.
Remember how in the Old Testament, the high priest went through all sorts of ceremonial cleansings and sacrifices and avoided certain activities just to be able to be in the presence of God? Talking to God, worshipping God, confessing sins, all of these were very sacred acts that required complete devotion along with several ceremonial acts. You removed your shoes. You got down on your knees. God, as a holy being, was treated as sacred. And communing with him was not taken lightly.
Fast forward to today. The mentality among Christians is that God is your friend, and you can treat him as such. It is not uncommon to see a squabbling couple out to eat, have them bow their heads to pray quickly for the meal, and then go back to squabbling. Someone can just take the Lord's name in vain and not feel compelled to go through any ceremonial cleansings to right the infraction. In fact, a simple "sorry Lord" is all it takes to satisfy most people after they realized they did something wrong. No one has any true fear for God. That deep-rooted respect and reverence is completely lost among today's Christians.
Honestly, modern day Christians do not fear God like the believers of old.
Remember how in the Old Testament, the high priest went through all sorts of ceremonial cleansings and sacrifices and avoided certain activities just to be able to be in the presence of God? Talking to God, worshipping God, confessing sins, all of these were very sacred acts that required complete devotion along with several ceremonial acts. You removed your shoes. You got down on your knees. God, as a holy being, was treated as sacred. And communing with him was not taken lightly.
Fast forward to today. The mentality among Christians is that God is your friend, and you can treat him as such. It is not uncommon to see a squabbling couple out to eat, have them bow their heads to pray quickly for the meal, and then go back to squabbling. Someone can just take the Lord's name in vain and not feel compelled to go through any ceremonial cleansings to right the infraction. In fact, a simple "sorry Lord" is all it takes to satisfy most people after they realized they did something wrong. No one has any true fear for God. That deep-rooted respect and reverence is completely lost among today's Christians.
Romans 11:21-23King James Version (KJV)
21*For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22*Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23*And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
21*For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22*Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23*And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
This is truly a believer of CHRIST, who wants to excel in righteous understanding and practices. Thank you blessed one, who wants to be close to the LORD JESUS CHRIST personally. i am merely an unworthy servant who desire to share the 'Good News' that i have been taught and am guided in service to others who are precious to the LORD, as HIS lambs and sheep.
The teachings of CHRIST of the New Covenant are 'spirit' and 'life' and they are profitable when a believer who have been born from above, not only of 'water' but also of the 'HOLY SPIRIT', understands them and practices them, also have that liberating 'spirit' and 'life' working in them inside and out and pouring out constantly onto others who witnesses them.
In order to excel in the New Covenant righteousness liberating teachings of CHRIST, one must forsake the thinking and the works according to the carnality/fleshly desires, in them, that have a tendency, of it's fruits (Galatians chapter 5) manifesting once again being in this world, which is 'hostile' to GOD and HIS Spiritual requirements.
For HIS requirements to HE Himself in CHRIST, redeemed people from 'sin' and 'death', as now born 'new creature' and as 'sons and 'daughters', calls them to now further continue to grow, in perseverance, in the thinking and works according to the SPIRIT/spirit living, according to the 'living' written New Covenant.
Practicing them in believe to all of them that are written as our 'guide' and 'debt' in obedience to the Gracious GOD of Salvation, through CHRIST and the HOLY SPIRIT also must in 'faith practice' remain in all of them, even to 'laying down one's life' also to them in fear to only GOD and not men. This obedience takes away all the 'natural carnal/flesh fears' that comes from this visible world., who are In ignorance to their carnal/flesh's desires. They have patiently to them that is written, practiced the Grace and Truth of CHRIST, the 'Spiritual AGAPE sound doctrine' knowledge of GOD, the life giving 'manna' from Heaven, against their own carnal/flesh and it's desires.
Christian who remain partly carnal/flesh in their thinking and according to it's desired works and partly SPIRIT/spirit in their thinking and according to HIS desired works, have their attention divided and both desires conflicts with each other, the SPIRIT and the flesh and stopping a believer from doing what he or she wants to do and that's where 'fear' sets in that person once again, when in a reminder and a stir up of memory of GOD's Word once again and when facing 'tribulations' and 'persecutions' of this world. Because they have not obediently to HIS Word(CHRIST) of 'spirit' and 'life' knowledge, love GOD and their neighbors.
There are 'two' kind of 'fears' works in a believer;
1. Fear of a carnal/flesh worries to the worldly knowledge of men, fall obedience to the necessities and pleasures of enjoyments introduced in this world.
2. Fear of SPIRIT/spirit in the Heavenly knowledge of GOD, wanting to be obedience to the necessities and pleasures and it's perseverance against the carnal/flesh desires of this world and to be fully trained and fully equipped to do all kind of Good deeds and face the on coming 'tribulation' and 'persecution' of this contradicting world of it's people in ignorance to and of the carnal/flesh, which from the very beginning have been hostile to GOD.
When a believer 'fear' GOD, through HIS knowledge(CHRIST) and in reminder and stir up of memory of HIS requirements written in that Spiritual knowledge and in spirit, conformed to them all in believe and in faith and in action faith to them, act accordingly to them, indeed 'fear' no men or be a part, equally yoked to the world and it's requirements.
And when a believer 'fear' men and this world and it's requirements and equally yoked with them, once again and also in sharing partial faith to GOD, only 'fears' GOD, for their negligence of obedient faith, further grieving HIS HOLY SPIRIT and HIS 'AGAPE' knowledge called in faith. 'Their fruit never ripen'.
'Perfect love of GOD fear, in 'abiding' according to the written sound doctrine Spiritual knowledge of the New Covenant and in practices, 'expels' the 'fear' of being punished, remaining once again in carnal/flesh fruit's practices, that once again leads to be ruled by the law of 'sin' and 'death', and also once again destined to face second death'(Romans chapter 8).
As it is written;
"Why do you 'fear' what men can do. They only can destroy the body and do no more. Rather 'fear' GOD who can destroy both the body and the soul to hell."
JESUS is teaching also to hearing witnesses to HIS Word, that there are two kind of 'fear', that a believer may encounter in them and in their lives. 'Fear' in obeying GOD's Word and denying 'self' and this world or 'fear' against disobeying GOD's Word and in not learning to love by denying 'self' and denying the world and it's necessities and pleasures it provides.
Please take time to patiently read word by words, these sharing in revelation knowledge of the New Covenant. Those who have been taught by the HOLY SPIRIT the Holy Bible, will recognize them in their 'spirit' to 'be awake' and 'stay alert' to the voice of the LORD and the HOLY SPIRIT thy GOD.
The teachings of CHRIST of the New Covenant are 'spirit' and 'life' and they are profitable when a believer who have been born from above, not only of 'water' but also of the 'HOLY SPIRIT', understands them and practices them, also have that liberating 'spirit' and 'life' working in them inside and out and pouring out constantly onto others who witnesses them.
In order to excel in the New Covenant righteousness liberating teachings of CHRIST, one must forsake the thinking and the works according to the carnality/fleshly desires, in them, that have a tendency, of it's fruits (Galatians chapter 5) manifesting once again being in this world, which is 'hostile' to GOD and HIS Spiritual requirements.
For HIS requirements to HE Himself in CHRIST, redeemed people from 'sin' and 'death', as now born 'new creature' and as 'sons and 'daughters', calls them to now further continue to grow, in perseverance, in the thinking and works according to the SPIRIT/spirit living, according to the 'living' written New Covenant.
Practicing them in believe to all of them that are written as our 'guide' and 'debt' in obedience to the Gracious GOD of Salvation, through CHRIST and the HOLY SPIRIT also must in 'faith practice' remain in all of them, even to 'laying down one's life' also to them in fear to only GOD and not men. This obedience takes away all the 'natural carnal/flesh fears' that comes from this visible world., who are In ignorance to their carnal/flesh's desires. They have patiently to them that is written, practiced the Grace and Truth of CHRIST, the 'Spiritual AGAPE sound doctrine' knowledge of GOD, the life giving 'manna' from Heaven, against their own carnal/flesh and it's desires.
Christian who remain partly carnal/flesh in their thinking and according to it's desired works and partly SPIRIT/spirit in their thinking and according to HIS desired works, have their attention divided and both desires conflicts with each other, the SPIRIT and the flesh and stopping a believer from doing what he or she wants to do and that's where 'fear' sets in that person once again, when in a reminder and a stir up of memory of GOD's Word once again and when facing 'tribulations' and 'persecutions' of this world. Because they have not obediently to HIS Word(CHRIST) of 'spirit' and 'life' knowledge, love GOD and their neighbors.
There are 'two' kind of 'fears' works in a believer;
1. Fear of a carnal/flesh worries to the worldly knowledge of men, fall obedience to the necessities and pleasures of enjoyments introduced in this world.
2. Fear of SPIRIT/spirit in the Heavenly knowledge of GOD, wanting to be obedience to the necessities and pleasures and it's perseverance against the carnal/flesh desires of this world and to be fully trained and fully equipped to do all kind of Good deeds and face the on coming 'tribulation' and 'persecution' of this contradicting world of it's people in ignorance to and of the carnal/flesh, which from the very beginning have been hostile to GOD.
When a believer 'fear' GOD, through HIS knowledge(CHRIST) and in reminder and stir up of memory of HIS requirements written in that Spiritual knowledge and in spirit, conformed to them all in believe and in faith and in action faith to them, act accordingly to them, indeed 'fear' no men or be a part, equally yoked to the world and it's requirements.
And when a believer 'fear' men and this world and it's requirements and equally yoked with them, once again and also in sharing partial faith to GOD, only 'fears' GOD, for their negligence of obedient faith, further grieving HIS HOLY SPIRIT and HIS 'AGAPE' knowledge called in faith. 'Their fruit never ripen'.
'Perfect love of GOD fear, in 'abiding' according to the written sound doctrine Spiritual knowledge of the New Covenant and in practices, 'expels' the 'fear' of being punished, remaining once again in carnal/flesh fruit's practices, that once again leads to be ruled by the law of 'sin' and 'death', and also once again destined to face second death'(Romans chapter 8).
As it is written;
"Why do you 'fear' what men can do. They only can destroy the body and do no more. Rather 'fear' GOD who can destroy both the body and the soul to hell."
JESUS is teaching also to hearing witnesses to HIS Word, that there are two kind of 'fear', that a believer may encounter in them and in their lives. 'Fear' in obeying GOD's Word and denying 'self' and this world or 'fear' against disobeying GOD's Word and in not learning to love by denying 'self' and denying the world and it's necessities and pleasures it provides.
Please take time to patiently read word by words, these sharing in revelation knowledge of the New Covenant. Those who have been taught by the HOLY SPIRIT the Holy Bible, will recognize them in their 'spirit' to 'be awake' and 'stay alert' to the voice of the LORD and the HOLY SPIRIT thy GOD.