Quote:
Originally Posted by aron
Satan, temporarily, does have the power to cause trouble, and to kill the body (see e.g. Job 1:12). But God has the power to give eternal life. If God does not give you life, and you are cast away from Him and into Gehenna, then nothing can save you. In this, we do indeed fear God, and also Him whom He has sent, Jesus the Nazarene.
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You can "fear" someone but also despise them, have contempt for them, be disgusted with them, hate them. A tyrant would be one example, police brutality another, an abusive spouse or parent a third. In chapter 3 James talks about "masters" (a boss, president, head of house, elder, etc.)
Fear and respect are connected. Fear can be a very good thing and we teach it to our children. We use the term "healthy respect" to indicate a "good" fear. However this kind of fear needs to be taught, you are not born with it (though it seems man is the only animal that is not born with it, human babies naturally cry, a behavior very strange in the wild, even among top predators). The Bible says that "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom". However, if there was no forgiveness with God then we all would have struck out long before we had a chance to learn this fear and begin to get wisdom.
It is crucial for someone with authority to be given respect. Police, teachers, parents and elders cannot function if their is no respect. James understands this but warns 3:1 "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 3:2 For in many things we offend all." Becoming a tyrant, or abusive is an example of the kind of offense and condemnation you can receive.
Psalm 130:4 "But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared."
What is very difficult to learn is that forgiveness is the secret to a good fear, a "healthy respect" that does not include contempt, or hatred. For example, a student in our school stole a laptop. We were able to use video footage to prove this. The school required this student to return or pay for the stolen laptop. They could have been expelled, but instead the student has returned to the school after making restitution. As a result with this student there is now "fear". They know that if you do something like this they will get caught and have to pay the price. They have a "healthy respect" for the school's security. Now this same student can pass this same lesson on to their peers. There is no hatred or contempt for the school because the incident was treated in a dignified way. This is how you can teach respect in a way that avoids the mistakes James warns of. "But the tongue no man can tame." (James 3:8). I think the expression is "To err is human, to forgive divine". Taming the tongue is a work that demonstrates faith in God.