Quote:
Originally Posted by Raptor
Jesus surely was the perfect example of One that expressed God. And what did He teach as He was expressing God?
"I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!" Luke 12:4-5 ...3 times!!! And it is a warning!.
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Yes, fear is certainly there! I see this as an Old Covenant and New Covenant thing. The characteristics of the OC were law, fear and shadow. The characteristics of the NC are love, grace and reality (in Christ).
God can throw a soul into hell. Jesus sacrificed Himself to redeem us from the curse of the law. Those who haven't accepted His redemption should fear Him and the redeemed should love Him. And as is our Father ("Love"), the foundation of our NC relationship is love - yet He is God, so I suppose there is still some element of fearing Him as He is the Righteous Judge of all. But we have a wonderful Advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ the righteous, Who has imparted His righteousness to us. In fact, so much so that we are called "the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor 5:21)
Therefore, according to the New Covenant, "Perfect love casts out all fear." (1 John 4:18) In Him, where regenerated ones are, is perfect love.
Nonetheless, just to be sure we're in balance, here's a NC verse regarding fear: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God Who operates in you both to desire and to work for His good pleasure." (Phil 2:13) Got it all figured out yet? No, me neither . . .
