Difference between revisions of "149:6 The " Fear of the Lord ""
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| − | 149:6.1 It was at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamala Gamala], during the evening [[conference]], that [[Philip, the Apostle|Philip]] said to [[Jesus]]: " Master, why is it that the [[Scriptures]] instruct us to `fear the Lord,'[ | + | 149:6.1 It was at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamala Gamala], during the evening [[conference]], that [[Philip, the Apostle|Philip]] said to [[Jesus]]: " Master, why is it that the [[Scriptures]] instruct us to `fear the Lord,'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Psalms#Psalm_34] while you would have us look to [[the Father]] in heaven without [[fear]]? How are we to [[harmonize]] these teachings? " And [[Jesus]] replied to [[Philip, the Apostle|Philip]], saying: |
| − | 149:6.2 " My [[children]], I am not [[surprised]] that you ask such [[questions]]. In the beginning it was only through [[fear]] that man could [[learn]] [[reverence]], but I have come to [[reveal]] [[the Father]]'s [[love]] so that you will be [[attracted]] to the [[worship]] of the [[Eternal]] by the drawing of a son's [[affectionate]] [[recognition]] and [[reciprocation]] of [[the Father]]'s [[profound]] and [[perfect]] [[love]]. I would deliver you from the [[bondage]] of driving yourselves through [[slavish]] [[fear]] to the irksome [[service]] of a [[jealous]] and wrathful [[King]]-God. I would instruct you in the [ | + | 149:6.2 " My [[children]], I am not [[surprised]] that you ask such [[questions]]. In the beginning it was only through [[fear]] that man could [[learn]] [[reverence]], but I have come to [[reveal]] [[the Father]]'s [[love]] so that you will be [[attracted]] to the [[worship]] of the [[Eternal]] by the drawing of a son's [[affectionate]] [[recognition]] and [[reciprocation]] of [[the Father]]'s [[profound]] and [[perfect]] [[love]]. I would deliver you from the [[bondage]] of driving yourselves through [[slavish]] [[fear]] to the irksome [[service]] of a [[jealous]] and wrathful [[King]]-God. I would instruct you in the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_33#33:2._THE_SOVEREIGN_OF_NEBADON Father-son] [[relationship]] of [[God]] and [[man]] so that you may be [[joyfully]] led into that [[sublime]] and [[supernal]] [[free]] [[worship]] of a loving, [[just]], and [[merciful]] [[Father]]-[[God]]. |
| − | 149:6.3 " The `fear of the Lord'[ | + | 149:6.3 " The `fear of the Lord'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Proverbs#Proverb_.1] has had [[different]] [[meanings]] in the [[successive]] [[ages]], coming up from [[fear]], through anguish and dread, to [[awe]] and [[reverence]]. And now from [[reverence]] I would lead you up, through [[recognition]], [[realization]], and [[appreciation]], to [[love]]. When man [[recognizes]] only the [[works]] of [[God]], he is [[led]] to [[fear]] the [[Supreme]]; but when man begins to [[understand]] and [[experience]] the [[personality]] and [[character]] of the living [[God]], he is led increasingly to [[love]] such a [[good]] and [[perfect]], [[universal]] and [[eternal]] [[Father]]. And it is just this changing of the [[relation]] of [[man]] to [[God]] that [[constitutes]] the [[mission]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] on [[earth]]. |
149:6.4 " [[Intelligent]] [[children]] do not [[fear]] their [[father]] in order that they may [[receive]] [[good]] [[gifts]] from his hand; but having already [[received]] the [[abundance]] of good things bestowed by the dictates of the [[father]]'s [[affection]] for his sons and daughters, these much loved [[children]] are [[led]] to [[love]] their [[father]] in [[responsive]] [[recognition]] and [[appreciation]] of such [[munificent]] [[beneficence]]. The [[goodness]] of [[God]] leads to [[repentance]]; the [[beneficence]] of [[God]] leads to [[service]]; the [[mercy]] of [[God]] [[leads]] to [[salvation]]; while the [[love]] of [[God]] [[leads]] to [[intelligent]] and freehearted [[worship]]. | 149:6.4 " [[Intelligent]] [[children]] do not [[fear]] their [[father]] in order that they may [[receive]] [[good]] [[gifts]] from his hand; but having already [[received]] the [[abundance]] of good things bestowed by the dictates of the [[father]]'s [[affection]] for his sons and daughters, these much loved [[children]] are [[led]] to [[love]] their [[father]] in [[responsive]] [[recognition]] and [[appreciation]] of such [[munificent]] [[beneficence]]. The [[goodness]] of [[God]] leads to [[repentance]]; the [[beneficence]] of [[God]] leads to [[service]]; the [[mercy]] of [[God]] [[leads]] to [[salvation]]; while the [[love]] of [[God]] [[leads]] to [[intelligent]] and freehearted [[worship]]. | ||
| − | 149:6.5 " Your [[forebears]] [[feared]] [[God]] because he was mighty and [[mysterious]]. You shall [[adore]] him because he is [[magnificent]] in [[love]], plenteous in [[mercy]], and [[glorious]] in [[truth]]. The [[power]] of [[God]] engenders [[fear]] in the [[heart]] of man, but the [[nobility]] and [[righteousness]] of his [[personality]] beget [[reverence]], [[love]], and willing [[worship]]. A [[dutiful]] and [[affectionate]] son does not [[fear]] or dread even a mighty and [[noble]] [[father]]. I have come into the world to put [[love]] in the place of [[fear]], [[joy]] in the place of [[sorrow]], [[confidence]] in the place of dread, loving [[service]] and [[appreciative]] [[worship]] in the place of [[slavish]] bondage and meaningless [[ceremonies]]. But it is still true of those who sit in [[darkness]] that `the [[fear]] of the Lord is the beginning of [[wisdom]].'[ | + | 149:6.5 " Your [[forebears]] [[feared]] [[God]] because he was mighty and [[mysterious]]. You shall [[adore]] him because he is [[magnificent]] in [[love]], plenteous in [[mercy]], and [[glorious]] in [[truth]]. The [[power]] of [[God]] engenders [[fear]] in the [[heart]] of man, but the [[nobility]] and [[righteousness]] of his [[personality]] beget [[reverence]], [[love]], and willing [[worship]]. A [[dutiful]] and [[affectionate]] son does not [[fear]] or dread even a mighty and [[noble]] [[father]]. I have come into the world to put [[love]] in the place of [[fear]], [[joy]] in the place of [[sorrow]], [[confidence]] in the place of dread, loving [[service]] and [[appreciative]] [[worship]] in the place of [[slavish]] bondage and meaningless [[ceremonies]]. But it is still true of those who sit in [[darkness]] that `the [[fear]] of the Lord is the beginning of [[wisdom]].'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Proverbs#Proverb_.1] But when the [[light]] has more fully come, the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:6._THE_FAITH_SONS_OF_GOD sons of God] are [[led]] to [[praise]] the [[Infinite]] for what he is rather than to [[fear]] him for what he does. |
149:6.6 " When [[children]] are young and unthinking, they must [[necessarily]] be [[admonished]] to [[honor]] their [[parents]]; but when they grow older and become somewhat more [[appreciative]] of the benefits of the parental [[ministry]] and [[protection]], they are led up, through [[understanding]] [[respect]] and increasing [[affection]], to that level of [[experience]] where they [[actually]] [[love]] their [[parents]] for what they are more than for what they have done. The [[father]] [[naturally]] [[loves]] his child, but the child must [[develop]] his [[love]] for the father from the [[fear]] of what the father can do, through [[awe]], dread, dependence, and [[reverence]], to the [[appreciative]] and [[affectionate]] regard of [[love]]. | 149:6.6 " When [[children]] are young and unthinking, they must [[necessarily]] be [[admonished]] to [[honor]] their [[parents]]; but when they grow older and become somewhat more [[appreciative]] of the benefits of the parental [[ministry]] and [[protection]], they are led up, through [[understanding]] [[respect]] and increasing [[affection]], to that level of [[experience]] where they [[actually]] [[love]] their [[parents]] for what they are more than for what they have done. The [[father]] [[naturally]] [[loves]] his child, but the child must [[develop]] his [[love]] for the father from the [[fear]] of what the father can do, through [[awe]], dread, dependence, and [[reverence]], to the [[appreciative]] and [[affectionate]] regard of [[love]]. | ||
| − | 149:6.7 " You have been taught that you should `fear God and keep his commandments, for that is the whole duty of man.'[ | + | 149:6.7 " You have been taught that you should `fear God and keep his commandments, for that is the whole duty of man.'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Ecclesiastes#Chapter_.12] But I have come to give you a new and higher commandment. I would teach you to `[[love]] God and [[learn]] to [[Doing the will of God|do his will]], for that is the highest [[privilege]] of the [[liberated]] [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:5._MORTALS_OF_TIME_AND_SPACE sons of God].' Your [[fathers]] were taught to `[[fear]] [[God]]—the Almighty [[King]].' I teach you, `[[Love]] God—the all-[[merciful]] [[the Father|Father]].' |
| − | 149:6.8 " In [[the kingdom]] of heaven, which I have come to [[declare]], there is no high and mighty [[king]]; this kingdom is a [[divine]] [[family]]. The [[universally]] [[recognized]] and unreservedly [[worship]]ed [[center]] and head of this far-flung brotherhood of [[intelligent]] [[beings]] is my Father and y[[our Father]]. I am [ | + | 149:6.8 " In [[the kingdom]] of heaven, which I have come to [[declare]], there is no high and mighty [[king]]; this kingdom is a [[divine]] [[family]]. The [[universally]] [[recognized]] and unreservedly [[worship]]ed [[center]] and head of this far-flung brotherhood of [[intelligent]] [[beings]] is my Father and y[[our Father]]. I am [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_21 his Son], and you are also [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:5._MORTALS_OF_TIME_AND_SPACE his sons]. Therefore it is [[eternally]] true that you and I are [[brethren]] in the heavenly estate, and all the more so since we have become brethren in the [[flesh]] of the [[earthly]] life. Cease, then, to [[fear]] [[God]] as a [[king]] or serve him as a master; learn to [[reverence]] him as the [[Creator]]; [[honor]] him as [[the Father]] of your spirit [[youth]]; [[love]] him as a [[merciful]] defender; and ultimately [[worship]] him as the loving and all-[[wise]] Father of your more [[mature]] [[spiritual]] [[realization]] and [[appreciation]]. |
149:6.9 " Out of your [[wrong]] [[concepts]] of [[the Father]] in [[heaven]] grow your false [[ideas]] of [[humility]] and springs much of your [[hypocrisy]]. Man may be a worm of the dust by [[nature]] and [[origin]], but when he becomes indwelt by [[Thought Adjuster|my Father's spirit]], that man becomes [[divine]] in his [[destiny]]. The [[Thought Adjuster|bestowal spirit]] of [[my Father]] will surely return to the [[divine]] [[source]] and [[universe]] [[level]] of [[origin]], and the [[human]] [[soul]] of [[mortal]] man which shall have become the reborn child of this [[indwelling spirit]] shall certainly [[ascend]] with the divine spirit to the very [[presence]] of the [[Universal Father|eternal Father]]. | 149:6.9 " Out of your [[wrong]] [[concepts]] of [[the Father]] in [[heaven]] grow your false [[ideas]] of [[humility]] and springs much of your [[hypocrisy]]. Man may be a worm of the dust by [[nature]] and [[origin]], but when he becomes indwelt by [[Thought Adjuster|my Father's spirit]], that man becomes [[divine]] in his [[destiny]]. The [[Thought Adjuster|bestowal spirit]] of [[my Father]] will surely return to the [[divine]] [[source]] and [[universe]] [[level]] of [[origin]], and the [[human]] [[soul]] of [[mortal]] man which shall have become the reborn child of this [[indwelling spirit]] shall certainly [[ascend]] with the divine spirit to the very [[presence]] of the [[Universal Father|eternal Father]]. | ||
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149:6.10 " [[Humility]], indeed, becomes [[mortal]] man who [[receives]] all these [[gifts]] from [[the Father]] in heaven, albeit there is a [[divine]] [[dignity]] attached to all such [[faith]] [[candidates]] for the [[eternal]] [[ascent]] of the [[the kingdom|heavenly kingdom]]. The meaningless and menial [[practices]] of an [[ostentatious]] and [[false]] [[humility]] are incompatible with the [[appreciation]] of the [[source]] of your [[salvation]] and the [[recognition]] of the [[destiny]] of your spirit-[[born]] [[souls]]. [[Humility]] before [[God]] is altogether appropriate in the [[depths]] of your [[hearts]]; [[meekness]] before men is commendable; but the [[hypocrisy]] of [[self-conscious]] and [[attention]]-craving [[humility]] is childish and unworthy of the [[enlightened]] sons of [[the kingdom]]. | 149:6.10 " [[Humility]], indeed, becomes [[mortal]] man who [[receives]] all these [[gifts]] from [[the Father]] in heaven, albeit there is a [[divine]] [[dignity]] attached to all such [[faith]] [[candidates]] for the [[eternal]] [[ascent]] of the [[the kingdom|heavenly kingdom]]. The meaningless and menial [[practices]] of an [[ostentatious]] and [[false]] [[humility]] are incompatible with the [[appreciation]] of the [[source]] of your [[salvation]] and the [[recognition]] of the [[destiny]] of your spirit-[[born]] [[souls]]. [[Humility]] before [[God]] is altogether appropriate in the [[depths]] of your [[hearts]]; [[meekness]] before men is commendable; but the [[hypocrisy]] of [[self-conscious]] and [[attention]]-craving [[humility]] is childish and unworthy of the [[enlightened]] sons of [[the kingdom]]. | ||
| − | 149:6.11 " You do well to be [[meek]] before [[God]] and [[self]]-[[control]]led before men, but let your [[meekness]] be of [[spiritual]] [[origin]] and not the self-[[deceptive]] display of a [[self-conscious]] sense of [[self-righteous]] superiority. The [[prophet]] spoke advisedly when he said, `Walk [[humbly]] with [[God]],'[ | + | 149:6.11 " You do well to be [[meek]] before [[God]] and [[self]]-[[control]]led before men, but let your [[meekness]] be of [[spiritual]] [[origin]] and not the self-[[deceptive]] display of a [[self-conscious]] sense of [[self-righteous]] superiority. The [[prophet]] spoke advisedly when he said, `Walk [[humbly]] with [[God]],'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Micah#Chapter_.6] for, while [[the Father]] in heaven is the [[Infinite]] and the [[Eternal]], he also dwells `with him who is of a contrite mind and a humble spirit.'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Isaiah#Chapter_.57] My Father disdains [[pride]], loathes [[hypocrisy]], and abhors [[iniquity]]. And it was to [[emphasize]] the [[value]] of [[sincerity]] and [[perfect]] [[trust]] in the loving [[support]] and [[faithful]] [[guidance]] of the [[heavenly Father]] that I have so often referred to the little [[child]] as [[illustrative]] of the [[attitude]] of [[mind]] and the [[response]] of [[spirit]] which are so [[essential]] to the entrance of [[mortal]] man into the [[spirit]] [[realities]] of [[the kingdom]] of heaven. |
| − | 149:6.12 " Well did the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah Prophet Jeremiah] describe many [[mortals]] when he said: `You are near [[God]] in the [[Speech|mouth]] but far from him in the [[heart]].'[ | + | 149:6.12 " Well did the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah Prophet Jeremiah] describe many [[mortals]] when he said: `You are near [[God]] in the [[Speech|mouth]] but far from him in the [[heart]].'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Jeremiah#Chapter_.12] And have you not also read that direful [[warning]] of the [[prophet]] who said: `The [[priests]] thereof teach for hire, and the [[prophets]] thereof divine for [[money]]. At the same time they [[profess]] [[piety]] and [[proclaim]] that the Lord is with them.'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Micah#Chapter_.3] Have you not been well [[warned]] against those who `speak [[peace]] to their [[neighbors]] when [[mischief]] is in their [[hearts]],'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Psalms#Psalm_28] those who `[[flatter]] with the lips while the [[heart]] is given to double-dealing'[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Psalms#Psalm_12]? Of all the [[sorrows]] of a [[trusting]] man, none are so terrible as to be `[[wounded]] in the house of a trusted [[friend]].' "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Zechariah#Chapter_.13] |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*'''''[[19.11 The Fourth Obstacle: The Fear of God|The Fourth Obstacle: The Fear of God]]''''' | *'''''[[19.11 The Fourth Obstacle: The Fear of God|The Fourth Obstacle: The Fear of God]]''''' | ||
| − | <center>[ | + | <center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_149 Go to Paper 149]</center> |
| − | <center>[ | + | <center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center> |
[[Category:Paper 149 - The Second Preaching Tour]] | [[Category:Paper 149 - The Second Preaching Tour]] | ||
Revision as of 21:25, 12 December 2020
149:6.1 It was at Gamala, during the evening conference, that Philip said to Jesus: " Master, why is it that the Scriptures instruct us to `fear the Lord,'[1] while you would have us look to the Father in heaven without fear? How are we to harmonize these teachings? " And Jesus replied to Philip, saying:
149:6.2 " My children, I am not surprised that you ask such questions. In the beginning it was only through fear that man could learn reverence, but I have come to reveal the Father's love so that you will be attracted to the worship of the Eternal by the drawing of a son's affectionate recognition and reciprocation of the Father's profound and perfect love. I would deliver you from the bondage of driving yourselves through slavish fear to the irksome service of a jealous and wrathful King-God. I would instruct you in the Father-son relationship of God and man so that you may be joyfully led into that sublime and supernal free worship of a loving, just, and merciful Father-God.
149:6.3 " The `fear of the Lord'[2] has had different meanings in the successive ages, coming up from fear, through anguish and dread, to awe and reverence. And now from reverence I would lead you up, through recognition, realization, and appreciation, to love. When man recognizes only the works of God, he is led to fear the Supreme; but when man begins to understand and experience the personality and character of the living God, he is led increasingly to love such a good and perfect, universal and eternal Father. And it is just this changing of the relation of man to God that constitutes the mission of the Son of Man on earth.
149:6.4 " Intelligent children do not fear their father in order that they may receive good gifts from his hand; but having already received the abundance of good things bestowed by the dictates of the father's affection for his sons and daughters, these much loved children are led to love their father in responsive recognition and appreciation of such munificent beneficence. The goodness of God leads to repentance; the beneficence of God leads to service; the mercy of God leads to salvation; while the love of God leads to intelligent and freehearted worship.
149:6.5 " Your forebears feared God because he was mighty and mysterious. You shall adore him because he is magnificent in love, plenteous in mercy, and glorious in truth. The power of God engenders fear in the heart of man, but the nobility and righteousness of his personality beget reverence, love, and willing worship. A dutiful and affectionate son does not fear or dread even a mighty and noble father. I have come into the world to put love in the place of fear, joy in the place of sorrow, confidence in the place of dread, loving service and appreciative worship in the place of slavish bondage and meaningless ceremonies. But it is still true of those who sit in darkness that `the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.'[3] But when the light has more fully come, the sons of God are led to praise the Infinite for what he is rather than to fear him for what he does.
149:6.6 " When children are young and unthinking, they must necessarily be admonished to honor their parents; but when they grow older and become somewhat more appreciative of the benefits of the parental ministry and protection, they are led up, through understanding respect and increasing affection, to that level of experience where they actually love their parents for what they are more than for what they have done. The father naturally loves his child, but the child must develop his love for the father from the fear of what the father can do, through awe, dread, dependence, and reverence, to the appreciative and affectionate regard of love.
149:6.7 " You have been taught that you should `fear God and keep his commandments, for that is the whole duty of man.'[4] But I have come to give you a new and higher commandment. I would teach you to `love God and learn to do his will, for that is the highest privilege of the liberated sons of God.' Your fathers were taught to `fear God—the Almighty King.' I teach you, `Love God—the all-merciful Father.'
149:6.8 " In the kingdom of heaven, which I have come to declare, there is no high and mighty king; this kingdom is a divine family. The universally recognized and unreservedly worshiped center and head of this far-flung brotherhood of intelligent beings is my Father and your Father. I am his Son, and you are also his sons. Therefore it is eternally true that you and I are brethren in the heavenly estate, and all the more so since we have become brethren in the flesh of the earthly life. Cease, then, to fear God as a king or serve him as a master; learn to reverence him as the Creator; honor him as the Father of your spirit youth; love him as a merciful defender; and ultimately worship him as the loving and all-wise Father of your more mature spiritual realization and appreciation.
149:6.9 " Out of your wrong concepts of the Father in heaven grow your false ideas of humility and springs much of your hypocrisy. Man may be a worm of the dust by nature and origin, but when he becomes indwelt by my Father's spirit, that man becomes divine in his destiny. The bestowal spirit of my Father will surely return to the divine source and universe level of origin, and the human soul of mortal man which shall have become the reborn child of this indwelling spirit shall certainly ascend with the divine spirit to the very presence of the eternal Father.
149:6.10 " Humility, indeed, becomes mortal man who receives all these gifts from the Father in heaven, albeit there is a divine dignity attached to all such faith candidates for the eternal ascent of the heavenly kingdom. The meaningless and menial practices of an ostentatious and false humility are incompatible with the appreciation of the source of your salvation and the recognition of the destiny of your spirit-born souls. Humility before God is altogether appropriate in the depths of your hearts; meekness before men is commendable; but the hypocrisy of self-conscious and attention-craving humility is childish and unworthy of the enlightened sons of the kingdom.
149:6.11 " You do well to be meek before God and self-controlled before men, but let your meekness be of spiritual origin and not the self-deceptive display of a self-conscious sense of self-righteous superiority. The prophet spoke advisedly when he said, `Walk humbly with God,'[5] for, while the Father in heaven is the Infinite and the Eternal, he also dwells `with him who is of a contrite mind and a humble spirit.'[6] My Father disdains pride, loathes hypocrisy, and abhors iniquity. And it was to emphasize the value of sincerity and perfect trust in the loving support and faithful guidance of the heavenly Father that I have so often referred to the little child as illustrative of the attitude of mind and the response of spirit which are so essential to the entrance of mortal man into the spirit realities of the kingdom of heaven.
149:6.12 " Well did the Prophet Jeremiah describe many mortals when he said: `You are near God in the mouth but far from him in the heart.'[7] And have you not also read that direful warning of the prophet who said: `The priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money. At the same time they profess piety and proclaim that the Lord is with them.'[8] Have you not been well warned against those who `speak peace to their neighbors when mischief is in their hearts,'[9] those who `flatter with the lips while the heart is given to double-dealing'[10]? Of all the sorrows of a trusting man, none are so terrible as to be `wounded in the house of a trusted friend.' "[11]
