If you wantsomeone to change what do you do..shout..threaten..scare them?
or love them and with gentleness ..joy..kindness teachings make them see the errors of their ways?
sure you wont win them all but Im ready to bet youll get more with Love than with fear..and you will make some souls happy by loving them..and that is so so very important
Quoting: wildhoney The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:10
Quoting: Anonymous Coward 5791004 the REVERENCE of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
the word "fear" in your translation means "reverence" or "to revere"
Quoting: Salt The primary definition for the Hebrew word "Yur'ah" used in Psalm 111:10 is: fear; terror
See: [
link to www.biblestudytools.com]
You need to review some of the Old Testament and Revelations to see what takes place when God's anger is aroused.
Try to get your thinking correct on this. While Christians are instructed to love their enemies by God........God's actions are a bit different. "Vengeance is Mine, says the Lord.....I will repay."
God's great gift of love was given to His Creation as a whole......in it's entirety......the large chunk of all that He created......the gift was given 2,000 years ago.....when the Father sent His Son to die for "the world."
You might love your car.....but you will hate your tire when it goes flat.
So are God's feelings to INDIVIDUALS who are in rebellion against Him. They are His enemies. Should that person one day give Himself to Christ......they immediately become His children.....and no longer an enemy.
As children......many of you who had good fathers at home......fathers that would at times discipline you......those fathers who you would simultaneously love and fear. I loved my Dad......but also feared a spanking if I messed up. He only had to spank me about 2 or 3 times for me to get the message.
I both loved him.....and feared him.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
I love God with all my heart.....but also.....knowing Him through the Spirit living inside me.....fear Him. I do not want to mess up......or make Him angry......or have him hide His face from me.
Anyone God loved His creation......and sent His Son to the cross because of this love.
However to individuals in rebellion against Him:
1. He is angry with them every day (Psalm 7: 11)
2. He hates them. (Psalm 5: 5)(Psalm 11: 5)
3. He abhors them. (Psalm 5: 6)
4. He will one day melt them (Zech Chp 14) (Rev. Chp 19)
Do not be left out in the open when the door is shut.....as in Noah's day. God will save His children.....but His wrath will be upon His enemies.
Jesus is the door.
Jesus: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Mt 10: 28)