Deuteronomy 6:1-9 v 5 ” Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength.”
“You, your children and your grandchildren must fear the Lord your God. The land will flow with milk and honey. Talk about them when you are at home or away, when you lie down or get up.”
First found in this verse in Deuteronomy and repeated by Jesus in Mathew 22v37 and Luke 10 v 27 , loving the Lord is the greatest commandment. Also in this verse is mentioned fearing the Lord. God and fear is mentioned in the bible a total of 300 times so something important to look at.
Fear can also be translated into reverence. To be awed by the power of God. However to minimize Gods power over the world , to control the wind and the rain, minimizes our great God. To have some fear of the consequences allows us to follow His rules because He is the only God. So how can fear and love be together? In discussions during Mid Week fellowship on Wednesdays the theme of partnership relationships rather than dominating relationships are being explored. Fear and pain being the main controls in dominant relationships and qualities that lead to violence and unhealthy relationships. So how can fear be a part of our relationship with God?
William D. Eisenhower in Christianity Today writes ” Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; but love from God is its completion”
Prayer: Almighty God thank you for loving us and accept our praise as we worship you with all we do today. Amen
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