How to answer my coworker

[republic74]

My coworker and I go back and forth about religion and politics but it is always civil because we respect each other. Today our VP came in to talk to us about something and at the end said something about fearing god (he knows I'm a christian like him). Well after he left my coworker said I love god instead of fearing him and loving him like you baptist. I'm a novice when it comes to the bible and while I have learned a great deal so far, I still have a ways to go in my reading of the bible.

My question is, we love God and want to be with him but we fear him because he can and will judge us correct? Also my coworker said Christians who preach the word should not try to "scare" people to save them. I explained we are not scaring them but only telling the truth of salvation. In the past he has said he does not like to be preached to(I believe he is gay) but rather hear a feel good sermon then a fire and brimstone speech. Thanks for any advice because with ya'lls help in the past I have been able to get him to stop using the lords name in vain(around me) so I'm making baby steps with him.

[Born Again 2006]

:thinking Fear of God is not the "fear" that we normally associate with the term. In other words, we are not "afraid" of God but rather look upon God with an awesome reverance! Other thoughts?:scratch

[Hootmon]

:thinking Fear of God is not the "fear" that we normally associate with the term. In other words, we are not "afraid" of God but rather look upon God with an awesome reverance! That is correct, IMO

[Hootmon]

Also my coworker said Christians who preach the word should not try to "scare" people to save them. I explained we are not scaring them but only telling the truth of salvation. In the past he has said he does not like to be preached to(I believe he is gay) but rather hear a feel good sermon then a fire and brimstone speech. 'Fire and Brimstone' is a part of the total picture.

The full truth cant known when you are only willing to listen to the one side of the story you want to hear.

[republic74]

Awesome responses thanks so much. Hootmon you are correct about only listening to one side of the story.

[Hootmon]

Therefore I solemnly witness before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to judge the living and the dead according to His appearance and His kingdom, preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.

For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear. And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths.

But you watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fully carry out your ministry.
(2Ti 4:1-5)

[The Learner]

Tell your friend that Christians have nothing to fear from God, because He has no wrath left for us. Jesus paid for all sins, and those of us who have realized we needed forgiveness and asked for it have no reason to fear God. We can only stand in awe as we see His supernatural love for us, and love Him back for it.

[Kamatu]

:thinking Fear of God is not the "fear" that we normally associate with the term. In other words, we are not "afraid" of God but rather look upon God with an awesome reverance! Other thoughts?:scratch

Correct. This is an objection mainly lodged against the KJV since it uses that phrase often and many who don't know better take it out of context to mean "fear" as in wetting one's pants. Scofield says it well in his comment to Psalm 19:9:

The "fear of the Lord," a phrase of the Old Testament piety, meaning reverential trust, with hatred of evil.

In terms of being afraid of God, my fear is only for the unsaved and what awaits them, not for me personally.

[republic74]

This is awesome I going to send him an email w/some of ya'lls answers.

[evjr]

YES, I fear the Lord!!!

Even as a Christian, it's what keeps me from doing evil. But not just that, I want to please my Savior in all that I say and do. I know He hates evil so I should too.

Right, if I didn't have that reverential fear of the Lord, then I might not have that desire to pursue holiness like I should. Don't forget, as Christians, we're all called to examine our faith - to make sure we're in the faith (all the time!). :)

And it is the fear of the Lord that drives people to the CROSS. The use of the Law when witnessing will help the "fire and brimstone" preaching makes sense to the lost person. Without the Law, fire and brimstone preaching will more than likely turn people off.

:hanging