Our purpose is to know and love God and to bring others to know and love Him.

Lovers of God

By Patrick Coman
Romans 5:1-5

About the difference between fearing God and loving God, and what it has to do with salvation.

  1. Why should we fear God?
  2. Why should we love God?
  3. How does salvation work?

INTRODUCTION

I want to ask you a question and I want you to try to answer the question.
Why are you a Christian? Or, Why did you become a Christian?

I once had a young man working with me who said that he was a Christian. He said "I don't go to church, but I suppose I should. I'll have to start going again". I asked him how he became a Christian.

He told me that he became a Christian because he didn't want to go to hell. I said, "Josh, would you rather serve your earthly dad because you fear him or because you love him?" He replied, "You're not going to condemn me because I'm afraid of God are you?" I said, "No, but WHY we do things affects HOW we do things. Our motivation is important."

There are many people like Josh who obey and serve God because they fear him. These people struggle in their relationship with God. Before I became a Christian I had a violent temper. My wife and my children loved me but when I raised my voice they would cringe because they were afraid of me. Fear is not a good basis for a relationship.

You may say hang on a moment, doesn't the Bible say that, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Yes it's true the Bible says that in Proverbs 9:10. But if we remain at the beginning we will never finish the race. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom but it is not the completion of wisdom. Love is the completion of wisdom. The apostle John says, "There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out fear". 1 Jn.4:18. A balanced relationship with God begins with the fear of God but does not remain there.

I. WHY SHOULD WE FEAR GOD?

The answer is hell, an eternal place of suffering. A place that people only go to by choice. The choice is made by their rebellion against God. Revelation 20:12-15

There is no place in the presence of God for those who reject God. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will stay out of hell and inherit the Kingdom of God. Our names are not written in the Book of Life in indelible ink. They can be erased. Hebrews 10:26,27,30,31

We need to know the consequences of failing to obey God, of leaving Him out of our lives. Our God is an awesome God. He is a consuming fire that burns up all His enemies.

II. WHY SHOULD WE LOVE GOD?

  1. We should love God because He loves us - John 3:16
  2. We should love God because He extends forgiveness to us while we are still in our sin - Romans 5:8
  3. We should love God because He has saved us from His wrath which is the just dessert of all people. For all have sinned - Rom 3:23
  4. We should love God because He desires every good and perfect gift for us - James 1:17

III. HOW DOES SALVATION WORK?

  1. We are justified by faith. Faith is confidence. Fear is lack of confidence. We cannot fear God and have faith in Him at the same time. Love is a response to confidence and security.
  2. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Peace comes from confidence in the security of our relationship with God. Fear never brings peace because fear never has confidence of good things but an expectation of judgment. Fear always has a feeling of uncertainty, but peace with God brings a settled certainty of a promising future.
  3. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. A healthy Christian life and relationship is based on love and not fear - II Timothy 1:7 However God has given to us His love. The apostle John says this - I John 4:17-19. Love is the whole basis of our Christianity - the love of God to us and our response of love to Him and to others. Fear is conquered by love, but fear will kill our love if we let it reign in our lives.
  4. The Holy Spirit is given to us. When we put our trust in Jesus Christ, God gives to us the Holy Spirit as a seal. A seal is proof that the letter contains what was sent. The Holy Spirit manifesting in our lives is proof of our relationship with God - Ephesians 1:13,14
    Our possession of the Holy Spirit is proof of our inheritance as children of God, a guarantee. The Holy Spirit manifests His presence in us in four ways:
    1. Convicts us of sin - John 16:8
    2. Teaches us all things (inspiration) John 14:26
    3. Guides us to all truth (discernment) John 16:13
    4. Manifests the power of God - Acts 1:8
    All these will show forth the love of God. For examples of fear and love, read:
    David: I Chronicles 21:11-13
    Prodigal brother: Luke 15:25

CONCLUSION

Where are you today? Do you fear God? Do you Love God?
How do you feel about obeying God?

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