Fearing GOD has always been hard for me to accept. GOD is loving, just, generous, merciful and kind so why should that be fearsome? I prefer to say "respect" GOD over fear GOD because, as for me, fear is such a negative word. In the Old Testament times, GOD had to generate some pretty severe actions in order to get mankind to have a change of heart and to live according to HIS law, which is only meant to reconcile us with HIM so that we may experience everlasting joy.

​

GOD is our Father and like a good father, HE would not spare the rod if it meant getting us to do what is best for ourselves. As children, sometimes our fathers would give us a spanking to get us to straighten up and fly right as my dad used to say. We feared those times of punishment and that fear caused us to not repeat offenses. As GOD's children, we were dealt with in the same way and as with our earthly fathers, HE punished us out of love and desire for us to do the right thing. So back then. fear was perhaps a factor in the process of reconciling with GOD.



When Jesus came, He washed away any need for fearing our LORD. He painted a road map with His blood, showing us the direct and easy way to reconciles ourselves with our FATHER. Jesus showed us just how much our FATHER truly loves us and is willing to do for us. As we grow up and mature, we realize that the punishments dished our by our parents when we were children were for our own good and we appreciate those time. As we grow up and mature as Christians, we better understand GOD's justice and realize that all that HE does is out of love. I want to repay that love but not out of fear but out of loving HIM right back.