Christians that "fear" Jesus?!

[Slug1]

You'll notice both a ? and a ! in the title. I don't know if I should say that as a question or as a statement.

Let's look at this scripture:

Luke 8:³⁵ Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ³⁶ They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. ³⁷ Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes^[e] asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

³⁸ Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, ³⁹ “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

When a Christian has a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, as led by the Holy Spirit... when such manifestations happen today, such as a demon being "cast out" of a person, MANY Christians today FEAR this.

SO my question in basically... if a person DOES have a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, as led by the Holy Spirit... then WHEN the power of God is manifest today, WHY do people and this INCLUDES Christians... FEAR when God glorifies Himself in a miraculous manner? Such as WHEN another Christian uses their authority "in" Christ to cast a demon out of another person.

God wants a very intimate PERSONAL relationship with Christians (with us, with "you"), so that means when He manifests in "power"... shouldn't this produce Praise/Honor/Glory proclaimed? Yet, in some... they fear... why?

[Colight]

You'll notice both a ? and a ! in the title. I don't know if I should say that as a question or as a statement.

Let's look at this scripture:

Luke 8:³⁵ Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ³⁶ They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. ³⁷ Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes^[e] asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

³⁸ Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, ³⁹ “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

When a Christian has a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, as led by the Holy Spirit... when such manifestations happen today, such as a demon being "cast out" of a person, MANY Christians today FEAR this.

SO my question in basically... if a person DOES have a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, as led by the Holy Spirit... then WHEN the power of God is manifest today, WHY do people and this INCLUDES Christians... FEAR when God glorifies Himself in a miraculous manner? Such as WHEN another Christian uses their authority "in" Christ to cast a demon out of another person.

God wants a very intimate PERSONAL relationship with Christians (with us, with "you"), so that means when He manifests in "power"... shouldn't this produce Praise/Honor/Glory proclaimed? Yet, in some... they fear... why?

Would you agree that such a dog and pony show can be easy for Satan to counterfeit?

So as to spread false dogma into the body of Christ?

Soon it is all about running around chasing demons rather than staying in BIBLE CLASS!

2Cor 11
¹³For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
¹⁴And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
¹⁵Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

[Slug1]

Would you agree that such a dog and pony show can be easy for Satan to counterfeit?

So as to spread false dogma into the body of Christ?

Soon it is all about running around chasing demons rather than staying in BIBLE CLASS!

2Cor 11
¹³For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
¹⁴And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
¹⁵Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

This topic isn't about false prophets/apostles. So if you want to turn a discussion into one about false prophets/apostles... then go start another thread.

This thread is about God manifesting through servants of God and WHEN HE DOES... why do Christians fear Him?

Another such post changing the topic, I'll delete the post so we can stay on point with the OP. If you can't discuss this in light of when GOD is the source of a miraculous event, then don't post.

[Saved7]

In response to the OP, I think it comes down to a lack of faith and a lack of knowing God like we think we do.

[Slug1]

In response to the OP, I think it comes down to a lack of faith and a lack of knowing God like we think we do.

Instead of saying a "lack" of faith, can it be a lack of "understanding" what faith is all about?

[Saved7]

Instead of saying a "lack" of faith, can it be a lack of "understanding" what faith is all about?

I suppose you could say that too. I mean, to me a lack of understanding creates a lack of faith. As the scriptures say, "my people perish for lack of knowledge".

[Slug1]

I suppose you could say that too. I mean, to me a lack of understanding creates a lack of faith. As the scriptures say, "my people perish for lack of knowledge".

I will say this, some of the most faithful people I know have no clue what faith is... all they do is DO!! No matter what God wants, they JUMP and ask questions on the way UP, NO questions to God before they jumped. They don't HAVE time to understand faith... they are TO BUSY executing FAITHFULLY!!

Experience IS the best teacher!

People can be in FULL understanding of what faith is... however, UNTIL they execute faith, all that education and knowledge amounts to nothing.

[Dani H]

This thread is about God manifesting through servants of God and WHEN HE DOES... why do Christians fear Him?

Dude ... because He is G O D.

I'm terrified of Him!

But He's also my Father, and I need and want Him so badly, so He gives me enough grace to actually muster up enough confidence every day to draw near Him. I do realize He has to dial things WAY back, which I'm quite appreciative of, because one zap with His true glory and I'd probably just ... poof. You know? You know!

[Slug1]

Dude ... because He is G O D.

I'm terrified of Him!

But He's also my Father, and I need and want Him so badly, so He gives me enough grace to actually muster up enough confidence every day to draw near Him. I do realize He has to dial things WAY back, which I'm quite appreciative of, because one zap with His true glory and I'd probably just ... poof. You know? You know!

I understand what you mean by this "type" of fear.

The "type" for my OP is the type that causes people to PUSH God away or causes them to move away from Him.

Dani... "I know!"

There was a day I knew all "about" God and then He did a miracle, I ran and ran and ran... so did I really KNOW Him??

[claybevan]

I agree Dani H, it is wonderful to have such a personal relationship with Jesus but I think we get so comfortable that we forget 'with reverence and fear' not many of the old Saints managed to stay upright even when visited by an angel, so there's nothing wrong with christians fearing God, coupled with knowing him as a loving father I think it's good and healthy. Poof... I know!

[Dani H]

I agree Dani H, it is wonderful to have such a personal relationship with Jesus but I think we get so comfortable that we forget 'with reverence and fear' not many of the old Saints managed to stay upright even when visited by an angel, so there's nothing wrong with christians fearing God, coupled with knowing him as a loving father I think it's good and healthy. Poof... I know!

When God's presence is manifest, my first reaction is always to shut up and face-plant. You can always tell even when at church, because all of a sudden ... everyone shuts up and it gets real quiet. What else is there to be done? What can be said?

[Slug1]

I think some have confused "fear" the the Lord, with "fear" of the unknown when supernatural event's happen in a church.

I understand the holy "fear" we are to have OF the Lord... but when fear "strikes" a person when the Lord moves in power and a supernatural event takes place and it leaves a Christian IN FEAR... not fear of the Lord but instead... IN FEAR of what just happened, this is the FEAR that takes AWAY from the encounter of God's supernatural power.

To fear the Lord and be left in AWE when He may manifest in power is one thing. (I've been put down onto my face as Dani has)

Now when the Lord manifests in power and for a person to be in fear of the event and not want to ever witness/experience God in this manner again... that is another thing.

[Colight]

This topic isn't about false prophets/apostles. So if you want to turn a discussion into one about false prophets/apostles... then go start another thread.

This thread is about God manifesting through servants of God and WHEN HE DOES... why do Christians fear Him?

Another such post changing the topic, I'll delete the post so we can stay on point with the OP. If you can't discuss this in light of when GOD is the source of a miraculous event, then don't post.

Testing the spirit behind such a event.... is QUITE in topic as to why Christians would reject that miraculous event and quite with in the concept of this thread.

Figured as you would have wanted some in put from one who would at first glace reject such operations.
But it seems you prefer to be closed minded with those of that same like mind that you have..

[Slug1]

Testing the spirit behind such a event.... is QUITE in topic as to why Christians would reject that miraculous event and quite with in the concept of this thread.

Figured as you would have wanted some in put from one who would at first glace reject such operations.
But it seems you prefer to be closed minded with those of that same like mind that you have..

I'm not closed mined Colight... DON'T ACCUSE ME as such! I asked that you stop that in the other thread.

I have dealt with false signs/wonders but this thread is about what God does today and WHY does this STILL produce fear in Christians today.

Is the fear NOT knowing IF it's God or satan? Maybe that is the reason for fear... just NOT knowing if it's God as the source of a supernatural event??

We are to test... so when you test and find it OF God... are you the type to fear, or GLORIFY God?

[Colight]

I have dealt with false signs/wonders but this thread is about what God does today and WHY does this STILL produce fear in Christians today.

Ok about what God does today..
Since TODAY we are to live by faith and not signs or wonders.
How would you classify this event? A wonder? Sign? Supernatural?

Is the fear NOT knowing IF it's God or satan?

Usually it is quite clear who is behind it. test the doctrine.
It never fails.

However...
Maybe there is some fear, when a event is clearly not of God, yet some wild eyed types proclaim its of God.. now your the guy that has to wade into the muck with the truth.
Then the accusations will fly.

Maybe that is the reason for fear... just NOT knowing if it's God as the source of a supernatural event??

Satan is QUITE able to produce counterfeit supernatural events.
Thus why I posted that scripture.
He can make his prophets and their smooth doctrine appear very Christian.

We are to test... so when you test and find it OF God... are you the type to fear, or GLORIFY God?

Since this is not the age of signs and wonders....