Here’s a good one for us all to remember. If God only cared about himself, you wouldn’t have a chance to be saved from destruction. The second death results in a lake of fire.
Revelation 20:13-15 – 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Now I’ve heard people tell me that the negative doesn’t help them any regarding their pursuit of God.
Are you kidding me? That’s very brave, but if someone came up to you and threatened any kind of real harm it’s going to become very real, very fast. Now if you’re saved, that ends upon death. The lake of fire is the second death that one is told to fear. Clearly if you are going into the lake of fire, you’re not saved. People always hate it when you speak for them, but I will boldly do that now.
“If you are not concerned about the second death now, you will be right after the first one.”
Proverbs9:10- 10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
If you love God, you have this Reverence already. It’s a respect like children should have for their parents. They love them and they should respectfully realize that if they step out of line they receive correction. Notice I don’t use the words sheer terror. If you Love someone there is respect involved. However there is only one that controls your destiny. That Individual also loves you more than anyone or anything even when you’re not that lovable.
Why don’t we jump into the middle of a fire or off a 10 story building. There is an intelligent fear that is built in. This same fear should equally be there in a respectful way when it comes to angering the most High God.
Remember that when we sin against God, He loves you, even had His own flesh and blood die for you. When we knowingly sin against the Lord it’s disrespectful. Let’s work the best way we can to not disrespect the Lord.