Deitiphobia - the fear of God.
Those who have heard me preach may have heard me say things such as "I don't preach about a "Get ya God, but of a God who loves you as you are, not as you should be." And that's pretty much true. I don't speak much about a God who should be feared, that mean old man in the sky waiting with a frown for us to screw up so he can punish us, zap us with lightening or even squash us like the bugs we are. No. I don't preach about that god, because I don't believe in that god. I don't believe in that mean old man....I believe in a loving Daddy who should be feared.
Sound like I'm contradicting myself? I'm not. There are several types of fear, and all should be applied to God in some ways and by some. But not everyone should or can fear God the same way. Now I don't mean, love God in your own way, fear God in your own way, whatever works for you man. Let me see if I can explain this a little better.
One of the most obvious types of fear is a fear of destruction. There is a ancient Greek type of battle going on near some remote village. A horde has come in against the people in the village. The people are fighting to defend themselves as best they can, but they are outnumbered and outmatched. Enter stage left: Our HERO walks on the scene. Or is he THE VILLAIN? We're not sure yet. He looks so imposing. He walks like power and death personified. There is just something about him that makes you stop a stare. You want to be near him. He's beautiful. You want to run. He's the most frightening man you've ever scene. He's the drawing but deadly awesome, wonderful fear of a beautiful tiger. Reverential and respectful fear of one such as this only makes sense. And with this type of fear, describing the most awesome Frank Miller 300 warrior wouldn't come close to the reaction we'd have if we could really see the Mighty Warrior Himself come onto the scene.
So there's a pause as both sides wait to see what happens. The warrior walks into the middle of the scene and without any effort whatsoever annihilates the biggest, baddest, scariest of the bad guys. Maybe numbers will help. A group of men move in, and with moves that put The Matrix to shame the warrior kills them all without receiving a scratch himself. The rest of the attackers turn to flee. He chases them down, kills all but one. He tells the survivor to spread the word that this is his village and no one can attack it without fearing his wrath. Enemies far and wide leave the village alone out of fear for their champion. It is not good to be an enemy of God, and if we are His enemies, then He is indeed much to be feared. There is no greater enemy. No one and nothing can destroy the way the Creator can.
But while the enemies are running scared, the villagers are breathing a sigh of relief. Sure am glad he's on our side, they say. He promises to protect them if they will have him as their king. If they don't want his kingship, he will leave them to themselves. No. They want him as king. What better king than one who can protect them from the whole world? But if a king, then a ruler. And by definition a ruler has rules. Turns out this king hates evil and people who don't love each other. So he sets out rules to protect the law of love. And those who step outside the rules are soon to find that the king can and will discipline. This is a larger version of the fear I still have of my mother. I know that she loves me, but there's a part of me who knows she can still spank me with a look if I get out of line and need it. The fear of punishment as motivation to obey. The fear of being on the wrong side of the rules. The fear of hell. These are necessary, because God hates sin, and it's that type of fear, the fear of judgement that drives many of us into obedience at first.
Then the king has children. The children seems to be able to get away with more than others. They are obviously much loved by the king. It's not that he likes bad behavior or looks the other way with the, But where the citizens under his rule or expected to adhere, period, without excuse without exception, the king takes a different approach with his children. He walks with them. He talks with them. He teaches them the why and the how of the law of love. He guides them and trains them so that they can follow it. These children never fear the king's judgement, but they have a reverence and a respect for the father they love and who so obviously loves them. Still, while they may not get the death penalty their love drives home the desire to please. Their greatest fear becomes disappointing and displeasing Daddy. Not because they fear His wrath, but because they want to return to him the joy that he's given them. Because of love. Because it would break their heart to break his. And that is the fear we should have if we are His.
But if we are His child we are no longer His enemies and have no need to fear the mighty warrior. If we have been adopted by Him then we are His children and never have to fear His eternal judgement. But we, as His children, should still fear correction and more, fear breaking the heart of the One who paid such a high price to call us His own. But He's not the mean old man in the sky because to even His enemies he says you can be children. He sacrificed His very Son to make it possible for all of us, no matter who we are without Him, to have peace with Him and become His children.
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