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I was reading step 3 again.

Was wondering how do you differentiet between serving the Lord out of fear or out of love. Mine started with fear cuz that is what the scriptures read to me. There are lots of places that speak of fearing God but not many on loving God. I am having a hard time understanding this Truth.

Tracy Please excuse the bad grammar.

Well Tracy when you Fear something, you do it because you are afraid that if you don't there will be dire consequences. Ones you won't want to face.

When you do something out of Love, you do it because you care and have a longing in your heart to do so. You do it not because you have to but because you want to.

Hope that helps.

luv ya

Hi tracy sis

Well you know, there are different types of fear.

The fear spoken of most times, when referred to God, is one of awe and reverence, in recognizing who HE is , what His plans are, what He is capable of, that He is in control of all things, why He does certain things....

Proverbs 1: 7 - The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge

God wants us to fear Him, but not a fear that makes us cower and want to hide, the way Adam and eve did in the garden, when they sinned and disobeyed Him.

There is a verse in the Bible, that speaks of perfect love casting out fear.

1 John 4: 17-18 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The type of fear spoken of here, is dread, fear of punishment.

Because of the sacrifice Jesus made, we no longer need to fear punishment for our sins, because we know that we are forgiven, and washed clean by the blood of Jesus, and are able to stand before God pure and Holy thru Jesus.

Many do come to the Lord because they are scared of going spending eternity in Hell, but as we grow in our relationship with God, it will become the kind of Fear that God wants, the one that is of respect and honor for who He is. It is a fear that comes with love, as strange as that might sound, where we no longer want to do things out of duty or fear of punishment, but out of love for Him.

luv ya sis

Hey Lizzles

I think I can understand what you are saying. Unfortunately my early Christian walk consisted of not really knowing God and His Character. When I would read the gospels and Jesus's words of who and how our Father is, my mind was overwhelmed with fear that if I did not clean up my act immediately (like in a certain time frame) that God would immediately revoke my salvation and that would be it for me. Sometimes I still think that way.

Sighhhh....that's why I have been in this study to remove the lies and know the Truth!!

Tracy

Tracy, our Lord is a merciful Lord, He isn't looking for ways to keep you out, but ways to get you in His house. Remember we all fall, including the apostles, but they got up, and so shall you. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and He will be there for you no matter what.

luv ya sis

Hi Mlg,

I am beginning to understand the mercy. I've been told by a couple ppl that I am too "sin" oriented. Not that we shouldn't be...like Paul said, God forbid we continue in sin. But I took that as there would be a time limit on getting rid of ALL sin in my life. Now, correct me if I am wrong here but I would think the Lord deals with each of our sins individually (?). I can admit that I have in the past out and out sinned cuz I gave up and later on figured out that stupid enemy was whispering his lies to me how I'd never make it. But anyhow, what I meant by individually was according to each person since we all grow at different rates spiritually and none of us has had to walk in the same shoes. And also that each sin is judged at a certain time.
For instance, I have read testimonies where someone had struggled for yrs with a sexual sin, falling, repenting, falling, til finally the Lord stepped in or circumstances permitted a healing or relief for that person to stop or overcome that particular sin. I have studied many testimonies to see how the Lord has dealt with Christians cuz I was looking for answers and hope in my case and it seems that God, although He hates the sin, that if you have the correct heart and are in bondage, that He will somehow bring healing about and that He has patience with that person until the fulfillment of healing.
Nowwww...when I read the Gospels and Jesus's words they don't match up to the testimonies that I read. Please forgive me if I am wrong cuz I NEVER want to blaspheme (I am trying to say how I perceive things) It just comes across to me as He is pretty rough with no tolerance for mistakes after you become a Christian. This is where my fear-factor comes from. Now, this could be a mis-interpretation on my behalf I am sure. This is why I ask so many questions on here cuz I have need of knowing the Truth.
I just want to thank ya'll for helping me and being patient. I think once I get my mind re-programmed all will be going well along the path here.

Tracy

Tracy when you read the gospels, look at the Lord's compassion. Peter a Christian, an apostle who walked daily with Jesus, one who worked by His side, denied Him 3 times. I mean that's repeating a sin not once but three times. Did Jesus throw Him out? No Jesus forgave Him and then gave Peter a mission, to Feed His Sheep. That sis is what Jesus is all about, He ain't looking to keep you out.

luv ya

hey mlg,

I was just wondering if my Study Bible might be the problem for me. It is an NIV and has comments on the bottom of each page that help interpret the scriptures as you ponder on them. Allot of times I get caught up in reading the commentaries so much that everything gets all jumbled up in my mind.

Now, when I first became a Christian, I read from a simple KJV but still sometimes has trouble understanding fully. I don't trust my own mind to interpret so I have learned to pray for the Holy Spirits guidance as I read. I have done that and I trust it helps.

My question is ...should I lay off the commentaries for a bit and let the Lord speak to my heart?

Tracy

Tracy sis, you always need to allow the Lord to interpret the scriptures for you. I don't read many commentaries myself. So many differing views in commentaries, so what I always rely upon is the Lord's view. I read a KJV Bible, but I like the NKJV Bible as the words are a tad easier than the old KJV. Either way, I do suggest staying with a KJV Bible, but that's my choice.

luv ya

Hello Tracy

God bless you.

I've been reading along, as you post. You are doing great. I enjoy your questions -- perhaps because they are all so similar to ones I have asked too.

Anyway, I just wanted to share something about loving vs. fearing God.

When I first became Born Again, I don't really think I loved God, I feared Him. As a result, I sorta kept a distance between Him and me. After many years living like that, I finally started seeking Him -- truly seeking to understand what this whole thing is about.

I had heard that life with Him was supposed to make a difference. I wanted to witness that difference, first hand. I hoped it was true. So, out of obedience, I started seeking.

When I first came here to C.O., I would see all these written expressions -- that people loved God. Over and over again. I wondered, "do they really?" do they really love Him like they are professing? What does it feel like? Can a person feel a love for God? Why don't I? Is it a yearning for Him, or a yearning for happiness? It all was so confusing to me.

Well, as I continued in the hope and heard more and more, I became more and more excited at the possibility. I asked God to give me a passion for reading His Word. I had heard that The Bible is the Word and the Word is Jesus, so I prayed and prayed for this passion. I wanted to experience Him. I wanted to love Him.

So I continued in obedience and hope. The portion of faith that was given me began to blossom. And wooooooohoooooo, I fell deeply in love with Him.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by The Word of God. Ask, Seek, Knock = obedience to what I heard was a way to find Him. His Word is alive, and is Truth.

The Word / Jesus is alive and He is Truth, and He is Love. wooooohooooo!

Faith is the substance of things hoped for.

Is He Good or what?!!!

I hope this helps a little.

God bless you, Tracy.
Love,
Sister Mack

Hi Sis Mack,

Thanks for your support. I can fully understand what you are saying. I didn't feel like I loved God even though I would sing it and confess it. I, too, wondered what is it like to "be in love with Jesus"?, like I heard all these ppl talking about. I know what it feels like to love a person, like my mom or dad or grandparents. And I have been "in love" with a person before and I thought I should feel much more love for my Lord than I did those ppl. Cuz I read that our love for Him should be like "hate" for our loved ones. I want to feel that for Him so much. I got tired of the fear-factor but I am in the process now that you were. I am seeking and knocking and persevering cuz after I had backsliden and gone back to the world I would feel so empty inside. Now, I know what that emtiness is....it's missing my Lord, I just didn't realize it at the time. The happiness I got from having kids and a home and other things didn't last. Now, I understand why. Jesus needs to have ALL my heart. I just thank Him so much that He has never left my mind or heart totally. I actually pushed Him away at times but He always had some flicker buring in me that knowledge of Him would not leave me....thank God for that huh.

How long did it take in between the time you got saved until you actually felt true love for our Lord? Did it just "click" one day like some say?

Did you ever think He gave up on you at any point?

Thanks for your replies...ya'll are helping me so much!

Tracy

Hello Tracy

Well, I was a very late bloomer, to say the least. I was Born Again at age 29, but didn't truly start a committed search to get to know Him until I was 52. Eeeeeeek!!! Up to that point, I gave spirts of effort, but it was more of acting like what I thought a Christian would act like.

But, within 6 months of committed searching and seeking, I was in love. I asked a zillion questions, I talked to Him until I was hoarse, and I asked for Him to give me a passion for Him and His Word that I wouldn't easily be able to turn away from. He Did!!! I ate up the Studies here, and I plunged into His Word with such fervor that I knew it was not under my own power...it was Him.

In March of 2006, He showered me with His blessed peace -- a peace I had NEVER known. I was giddy and it was pure bliss. There were no words spoken, no sound and I saw nothing. It was pure, blessed peace. He broke depression off of me and released His Life and power in me.

Have there been any growing pains? Sure there were. I had to rid myself of a lot of baggage and wrong teachings and mindsets, but He was with me every step of the way. He is so patient with me, and He gives me sweet giggles and we sing and dance together. My spirit frolics with Him.

Thank You Lord.

God bless you, Tracy. He loves you so very much.
Love,
Sister Mack