LEGITIMATE FEAR

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 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 KJV

¶One might ask: Why ought we to fear God? There are those who go their way heedless of God. It is possible to seek a worldly wisdom that excludes God. We have not a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. Godly fear frees us from lesser fears. Jesus warns us not to fear those who can destroy the body, but Him who has the power to throw both body and soul into hell. A real concern. This is why the Proverbs' declaration is of such profound significance. There is a wisdom not available to the foolish, a love not knowable to the world, which liberates us. The purpose of religious ritual has been to placate an angry God. This is a legitimate concern, but sets us before us the impossible task. There are not enough sacrifices to cover, not enough virtue to compensate for the depths of our sin and rebellion.

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