There is a jesus being preached in modern culture, a jesus that most of the world can accept. He doesn't judge anyone's lifestyle and he sends everyone to heaven. (See Behold, He Stands at the Door and Beware of Ex-vangelical Teachings.)
The gospel of this fake jesus is "the wages of sin is life" and "none have fallen short of the glory of God."(1)
Followers of this fake gospel have no respect for God's purity, purposes, or punishment. They preach that only a bad god would punish them.
In contrast, God-fearers know we deserve Hell, and we know that God has every right to punish us as we deserve.
Jesus wants us to acknowledge this truth:
"Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch
your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28
Our healthy fear of the Lord makes us approach our salvation and sanctification "with fear and trembling" (seriously, devotedly, seeking to honor our Lord) because we love God and marvel at the undeserved grace He gives us.
"Therefore,
my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but
now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with
fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in
order to fulfill his good purpose." Philippians 2:12-13(2)
And we cannot help but "tremble" with joy at our salvation:
"Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling." Psalm 2:11(3)
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What is the fear of the Lord? It's a
positive type of fear—a reverence, respect, and honor that God alone
deserves. When we realize that we can't fully grasp “how wide and long
and high and deep” God's love is, we cannot help but develop this
healthy fear (Ephesians 3:16-19).
For more understanding of God's wrath, see:
Discipline, Punishment, Condemnation
(2) "So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. 13 For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:12-13 Amplified Bible
(3) "Worship the LORD and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder]; Rejoice [yet do so] with trembling." Psalm 2:11 Amplified Bible
Bible Love Notes
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