2nd Pet. 3:11. Another blog in the series of fearing God. In the era we are in this seems to be strange teaching to many. It is not. It is very biblical, and many of those scripture can and may be given. It is not a point that can be debated, with any success. We should serve Him in holiness with fear and trembling. These words are easily defined. Their meaning can not be twisted, changed, because scripture has many references regarding the same. But if one chooses to not believe, or be ignorant, then that is their choice.

Noah was a preacher of righteousness, and Christ preached to the people of that day. They chose to ignore, and not to fear anything. For 40 days it rained and the waters covered the earth. Do you reckon those people had any fear, or terror, or trembling, during that time before death? And Korah, he probably stood in front of his tent that day, not fearing anything. And his wife and little ones stood right with him. Do you reckon when the earth opened up, that in that brief moment, that they felt terror, or fear, or trembling?

Elijah was fed by the raven, by that brook, and I doubt that many came by to encourage him. And there did not seem to be any type of rescue planned of the people, to recover Jeremiah from that pit. No account is given of any protest when Daniels friends were thrown into that furnace. Or Daniel into the lions den. But God Almighty is a very present help in time of trouble. These could face these trials, and we can face ours. But let none be deceived, they were sold out to this God they served. They were not going out to mingle, if you will, in their spare time. There are also many, many, examples in scripture, of those who did, aren't there? You know, those such as Korah, or Balaam?

We can read, time after time, in the accounts given concerning Israel and Judah, of the times they tried to serve both. Setting up their idols. Mingling with the gods and the lifestyles in baalpeor. Turning again in their hearts to Egypt. Even longing for the life they had there. Did these actions make God angry, and provoke Him to wrath? Does scripture not tell us plainly and clearly what happened? Is this a different God, than we have now? Why, if you feel He is, are we told to not do as they did? Why, if you feel He is, are we given even sterner warnings, in the letter to Hebrews? Do you feel this was only to Hebrews? Should we discuss the point, in love, yet thoroughly, from the scripture itself?

We live in a time when if someone is wrong, they are still right. Or right, but wrong. Even if the words are there, and the definitions are clear in meaning, in scripture, many still take the liberty to say they are not there, and do not mean what they do. Where would this mindset be coming from? Peter said, "If the righteous scarcely be saved"? Again, this God is Holy. This God is a jealous God. There is no shadow of turning with this God we serve and praise. Absolutely, there is much comfort and hope in this. Praise God. There is also warning, for having a double-mind, and not loving and serving Him as we should.

We are given many examples, and many warnings, in the scripture, of what did, and what will, happen, when we believe and serve Him with a divided heart, and when we have unrepentant sin in our lives. Ignorance, twisted theology, unbelief, unrepentance, will not change the nature of God, nor His warnings, to those who refuse to heed. If you find yourself in these conditions, then repent, just that simple. Or suffer the consequences and learn the hard way.

Jesus Christ came, and He has broken down the barriers between us and God. He paid the price for reconciliation, and propitiation, of sin. Do not take what He did lightly. Do not serve Him and believe in Him, with only the lips, and not the HEART. Where the heart is, there is where the treasure will be. Learn from their examples, we are told. Why? If we do not, folks, "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God". No silver-tongued lie, from satan himself, will change the warning, to one who will. I would suggest that we just believe it, and live accordingly.

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