The sum of the matter, when all has been considered. Fear God and keep his commandments, for that is mans whole duty
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Fear of God
Prov -1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Why a Relationship Without Fear is Unreal
Many modern believers are taught that the concept of "fearing God" is an outdated, harsh relic of the past. We focus exclusively on God as a loving friend, a compassionate Father, and a source of unearned forgiveness. While those attributes are true, stripping away the fear of God leaves a relationship hollow, fragile, and fundamentally superficial.
If we do not fear Him, we cannot truly respect Him. If we do not respect Him, our relationship with Him becomes a comfortable self-delusion.
Fear is the Anchor
The Scriptures reveal that God actively desires us to fear Him—not because He wants to paralyze us with terror, but because fear is the psychological anchor that keeps us from forgetting Him. Without fear, human nature defaults to spiritual amnesia. We begin to excuse our own bad behaviors, assuming that a loving God won't mind if we compromise our ethics. But He does mind.
FEAR OF GOD - JewishEncyclopedia.com
Fear of God is identical with love and service.
Look at a healthy marriage. A spouse who truly loves their partner still maintains a healthy "fear" within that relationship—an acute fear of letting them down, breaking their trust, or making choices that would break their heart.
If a spouse has absolutely zero fear of crossing boundaries or causing their partner pain, the relationship isn't based on real love—it's based on indifference. Healthy boundaries are what keep a marriage respectful and real. It is the exact same way with God.