Fearing God?

[SweetMelissa]

I am having conflicting thoughts on the idea of fearing God. If the ego is responsible for all our fear and misunderstanding, shouldn't we NOT fear God?
I know it greatly depends on personal beliefs (what we each feel God is), but when trying to mesh the spiritual idea that we're all connected and our ego is our biggest enemy, the idea of fearing God somehow doesn't fit for me. Just wondering if anyone had some insight on this.

[Anagogy]

For information on that subject, you should check out A Course In Miracles. Basically, to crudely sum up a mere fraction of its philosophy, we disassociated from god which amounted to a kind of metaphysical attack on God. This created consciousness that involves perception, and made the former state of union with God a mere memory. Now we are on our own, and we experienced the separation in a VERY negative way -- an intense state of guilt and fear (of an imagined wrath from God -- a fate worse than death). This guilt and fear is beyond what any human mind could understand or deal with alone, and sits deep inside our unconscious mind (according to ACIM).

Consciously, we may or may not fear God, but if you put stock in the afformentioned material, the very fact that we continue existing in a world of duality and separation indicates the fear and guilt are still there, denied and projected elsewhere, and this reality (which gives reality to the psychic structure called the ego) is a smoke-screen to hide from our primal fear of God's wrath. You may or may not put any stock in A Course In Miracles, however, I thought I would just throw it out there. It's definitely interesting to read.

[SweetMelissa]

Thank you, Anagogy. I adore ACIM, but haven't had the time to read all of it. My mother and I were discussing this topic today and in our discussion we found that since we as humans naturally "fear the unknown" that fearing God (in the beginning) means you do not know him and so your desire to know him draws you closer.

[Liara Covert]

Anagogy makes great points. ACIM can certainly open one's mind to how to heal separation. Questioning illusions is the first step to undoing them.

Consider ACIM: Chapter 3 INNOCENT PERCEPTION (p.36)

1. A further point must be perfectly clear before any residual fear still associated with miracles can disappear. The crucifixion did not establish the atonement; the ressurrection did. Many sincere Christians have misunderstood this. No one who is free of the belief of scarcity could possibly make this mistake. If the crucifixion is seen from an upside-down point of view, it does appear as if God permitted and even encouraged one of his sons to suffer because he was good. This particularly unfortunate interpretation, which arose out of projection, has led many people to be bitterly afraid of God. Such anti-religios concepts enter into many religions. Yet the real Christian should pause and ask, " How could this be?" Is it likely God himself would be capable of the kind of thinking which His Own words have clearly stated is unworthy of His Son?

[beautyscientist]

Liara, the whole Jesus dieing for my sins, albeit only temporarily, makes no sense to me at all. If God is all powerful why does He need this elaborate exercise to forgive us our sins? Indeed, why not just not make us sinful in the first place?

[Old Soul]

i always interpret fearing God as meaning

Respect, standing in awe.. Revere .....

[Anagogy]

Originally Posted by beautyscientist

Liara, the whole Jesus dieing for my sins, albeit only temporarily, makes no sense to me at all. If God is all powerful why does He need this elaborate exercise to forgive us our sins? Indeed, why not just not make us sinful in the first place?

If you read ACIM, beauty, you'll see that it answers the very paradox you bring up. We aren't sinful according to ACIM. We are the part of the Christ Mind that had a tiny mad idea...the idea to go off on our own, and experience separation. Indeed, an important message of ACIM is that God had nothing to do with the creation of this world. This world we live in, of duality and separation, is a projection in order for us to hide from the pain of choosing to work against God. Then we got stuck here -- not because God saw us as sinful or guilty (God doesn't even acknowledge this world as "real"), but because we, ourselves decided that we were guilty. And the only way we can get out is by forgiving ourselves and all the symbols of guilt we have created unconsciously.

[Lychee]

The fear of our ego, if persisted in for a period of time, eventually seeps into our hearts if it is not treated early on. The ego is not our biggest enemy. If it was, we wouldn't have it. The ego is simply a tool that we have to remember is under our control. We cannot have the tool use us.

The phrase "fear God" doesn't necessary mean fear in the "scary" sense, to me. It means a humble acknowledgment of who God is.

Liara, the whole Jesus dieing for my sins, albeit only temporarily, makes no sense to me at all. If God is all powerful why does He need this elaborate exercise to forgive us our sins? Indeed, why not just not make us sinful in the first place?

That is only under the assumption that trinitarian doctrine of Christianity is correct.

[Chinese Dragon]

To paraphrase freehovind.com,

Originally Posted by freehovind.com

God created this world, that means he owns it and he makes the rules. So we better find out who he is and what he wants or we may be in trouble some day.

There is no question that we are guilty of breaking his laws and we're going to be punished, or we need to find a substitute. That's where Jesus comes in. He wants to pay for your sins. If you died today where would you go? You ought to think about that because you're going to be dead for a very long time. Did you know George Washington has been dead for over 200 years and he's still dead?

Jesus is willing and able to pay for your sins. If you repent and turn to God, he will save you.

I think that once a person repents their ego would have no reason to fear God, because if you're saved what's to fear?

[Akashic_Librarian]

In the words of Elbert Hubbard:

"We are gods in the chrysalis."

"Thought is supreme"

Or in other words, WE are God. And don't fear God, or all you will do is make yourself a fearful person.