Christians fear God. Most will deny that they don't and many religious leaders will answer any question about fearing God with a resounding, no. Those who would answer 'no' would claim that according to the New Covenant we do not need to fear God, and that only the Old Covenant taught the fear of God. This is clearly an unbiblical argument because the New Covenant scriptures attest to the biblical fact that the New Covenant complements and enlightens the old and does not deny or contend with it.
To understand this discussion we must first define the word "fear" according to scriptures, because the Bible defines the word fear in two diverse ways. God speaks of fear both as something which is sinful, and as something which is an evidence of godliness and wisdom. There is Godly fear which comes from true belief, and then there is the fear which comes from unbelief. Hebrews 11:31 "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God!" Many Christians do not understand that a Godly fear is actually good. The most righteous and Godly prophets trembled at the presence of the Lord. Because they understood the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Glorious Sovereign God whom they were standing before. Thus how could they not fear?
Why is any of this important you might ask? Especially coming from Osceola County's Most Trusted Name in Un-News? We asked the same question when some politicians began injecting religion into the local political discussion. Mailers on prayer at meetings and debate questions centered on the same topic are in many respects designed to illicit fear. Fear in the answer, and fear for asking the question. While most residents in this community rely on a Higher Power everyday, we must ask ourselves from where or who this Power speaks from or through? Do elected, or trying to get elected, officials speak the Word? If this is the case then what does it say when a elected official lies, cheats, or steals?
Very few people in this community would argue against some form of prayer at public meetings given by those who have made this their calling, but having elected officials demand a right to a calling not answered is questionable. In other words, seeking spiritual guidance from an elected official is like seeking spiritual guidance from a blog. It is probably a mistake. A mailer or a blog post is not evidence of godliness and wisdom. While we do not question the self interpreted faith of candidates, we also believe that our own faith, and not fear, should guide us in the ballot box.
To understand this discussion we must first define the word "fear" according to scriptures, because the Bible defines the word fear in two diverse ways. God speaks of fear both as something which is sinful, and as something which is an evidence of godliness and wisdom. There is Godly fear which comes from true belief, and then there is the fear which comes from unbelief. Hebrews 11:31 "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God!" Many Christians do not understand that a Godly fear is actually good. The most righteous and Godly prophets trembled at the presence of the Lord. Because they understood the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Glorious Sovereign God whom they were standing before. Thus how could they not fear?
Why is any of this important you might ask? Especially coming from Osceola County's Most Trusted Name in Un-News? We asked the same question when some politicians began injecting religion into the local political discussion. Mailers on prayer at meetings and debate questions centered on the same topic are in many respects designed to illicit fear. Fear in the answer, and fear for asking the question. While most residents in this community rely on a Higher Power everyday, we must ask ourselves from where or who this Power speaks from or through? Do elected, or trying to get elected, officials speak the Word? If this is the case then what does it say when a elected official lies, cheats, or steals?
Very few people in this community would argue against some form of prayer at public meetings given by those who have made this their calling, but having elected officials demand a right to a calling not answered is questionable. In other words, seeking spiritual guidance from an elected official is like seeking spiritual guidance from a blog. It is probably a mistake. A mailer or a blog post is not evidence of godliness and wisdom. While we do not question the self interpreted faith of candidates, we also believe that our own faith, and not fear, should guide us in the ballot box.
3 comments:
Great post!
Wow. Beautiful.
Thank you.
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