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Author Bio:
For 30 years, Christian leader and spiritual adviser Billy Graham has been offering advice to the thousands of readers who share their problems ...
Read more about By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services.
For 30 years, Christian leader and spiritual adviser Billy Graham has been offering advice to the thousands of readers who share their problems ...
Read more about By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services.
How Can I Love and Fear God at the Same Time?
By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services
Q: I fear God (which is what the Bible says we ought to do, doesn't
it?). But I can't say that I love God. After all, how can you love
someone if you're afraid of what they might do to you? -- J.D.
A: Yes, the Bible does tell us both to fear God and also to love Him. I know this sounds like a contradiction, because you're right: On a human level it's very hard to love someone if you're afraid they're going to hurt or even kill you.
The key, however, is to realize who God is and what He is like. On one hand, He is the awesome, holy, all-powerful God who created the heavens and the earth. He is far greater than anything (or anyone) we can ever imagine; the Bible calls Him "the high and lofty One ... who lives forever, whose name is holy" (Isaiah 57:15). This is why God is worthy of our respect -- and even our wonder and awe.
But God is also our loving Heavenly Father. He not only created the world, but He also created us -- and the reason is because He loves us and wants to have fellowship with us. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son into the world to give His life for us. The Bible says, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10). The Bible also says, "perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18).
Just as we can both respect and love our earthly fathers, so we can both respect and love our Heavenly Father. Don't turn away from God's love, but receive His love by opening your heart and life to Jesus Christ.
========
Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
(c)2008 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
This news arrived on: 10/27/2009
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Posted Comments:
11-02-2009 13:07
jb wrote:
read the Bible for answers
PJ wrote 10-31-2009 12:03: ". . . through studying the sciences, philosophy and government, I am left with the impression that God is an entity, or even Human! Some say God is who we perceive Him to be."
The problem is, PJ you were looking at the wrong sources for information about God. The BEST source of information about God is THE HOLY BIBLE! That's why you are confused about the nature of God.
PJ wrote 10-31-2009 "Is God really going to transform the system we have into the Kingdom of God spoken of in the scripture?"
The way the Bible reads, it would seem that God returns to earth in the person of the resurrected and glorified Jesus Christ and this global system we currently have [or the one which is established golbally at that time] will be overthrown and a new government will come into existence, God's. I am waiting for that day.
May you all find blessing in the reading and study of the Bible.
The problem is, PJ you were looking at the wrong sources for information about God. The BEST source of information about God is THE HOLY BIBLE! That's why you are confused about the nature of God.
PJ wrote 10-31-2009 "Is God really going to transform the system we have into the Kingdom of God spoken of in the scripture?"
The way the Bible reads, it would seem that God returns to earth in the person of the resurrected and glorified Jesus Christ and this global system we currently have [or the one which is established golbally at that time] will be overthrown and a new government will come into existence, God's. I am waiting for that day.
May you all find blessing in the reading and study of the Bible.
10-31-2009 12:03
PJ wrote:
Who is God?
I am having a problem here. I was taught that God was invisible, a Spirit, not a human. However, through studying the sciences, philosophy and government, I am left with the impression that God is an entity, or even Human! Some say God is who we perceive Him to be.
Secondly, I agree with the post above. How can we both fear and love God at the same time? Let me explain, I know that God disciplines us for our own sake, and David prayed that God would save him from the presumptuous sin. However, why should we fear retribution that may or may not be from God, but is really the contrivances and judgment of another human? How close do we believe that God's kingdom will resemble our present governmental system? Is God really going to transform the system we have into the Kingdom of God spoken of in the scripture?
Thanks!
PJ
Secondly, I agree with the post above. How can we both fear and love God at the same time? Let me explain, I know that God disciplines us for our own sake, and David prayed that God would save him from the presumptuous sin. However, why should we fear retribution that may or may not be from God, but is really the contrivances and judgment of another human? How close do we believe that God's kingdom will resemble our present governmental system? Is God really going to transform the system we have into the Kingdom of God spoken of in the scripture?
Thanks!
PJ
10-28-2009 17:48
jb wrote:
misreading "bro Graham's" answer
I believe that's what "bro" billy said, if you carefully reread his answer. Billy's statement "it's very hard to love someone if you're afraid they're going to hurt or even kill you." is reflecting back to J.D.'s question, not Billy's own thought.
Besides, there are instances in the Bible, particularly in the Old testament, where God did kill people either directly or commanded others to kill them. So it is not true that "death is the enemies' weapon" alone. Yes the NT says that God does not desire our death, but to say He does not use death is to go beyond what the Bible does say.
blessings
Besides, there are instances in the Bible, particularly in the Old testament, where God did kill people either directly or commanded others to kill them. So it is not true that "death is the enemies' weapon" alone. Yes the NT says that God does not desire our death, but to say He does not use death is to go beyond what the Bible does say.
blessings
10-27-2009 09:44
PK wrote:
How Can I love and fear God at the same time
To fear God in the bible's content means more to have reverence for Him, deep respect.How can u love someone whom u fear, like u rightly commented.However, i disagree that u have to fear God because He can kill you.God is not in the habit of killing His children; the consequences of our sin does that.Besides death is the enemies' weapon, and God has no use for our death, nor can He use the devices of the devil in retribution for our sins.We cannot fully comprehend God's love for us.If we could how wonderful that would be for us.My counsel for the person who made the comment is to get to know Him.Because to know Him is to love Him; to love Him is to serve Him.God bless you.
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