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Fear Is For Children

Fear Is For Children

Recently I have heard a number of sermons which describe God as angry, which present Him as wrathful, threatening, and punishing. These sermons talk about God killing, God raining down fire, God burning people, and God slaying people.

  They talk against God’s loving, forgiving, and gracious heart. Several people have emailed me and told me that such sermons incite fear and make them afraid of God.

In response to this I know some who talk against the idea of God raising His voice, against God threatening, and make it appear that God never acts in ways to incite fear. Yet there are numerous texts which use this powerful language. Where is the balance? How can we reconcile the reality that “God is love” and “Love seeks not her own, keeps no record of wrong” and “gives his life for a friend” with statements in the Bible where God threatens to kill, punish, and destroy?

It is very simple really, love always does what is designed to heal, save, and protect and sometimes that means raising the voice, threatening, and even inciting fear.

Recently, I was counseling an adolescent young man who was struggling with powerful sexual desire and had been acting on these desires. As we talked and I tried to explore God’s principles and reasons for abstinence until marriage it became clear that he simply could not appreciate any benefit in waiting. His mind was overcome with powerful feelings of lust. Reason and evidence just were not having an impact on him. He was not mature, he was not healthy, he was not capable of functioning on the level God has designed us to operate. So I met him where he was and incited fear. I presented the truth about sexually transmitted diseases. I showed pictures of what these diseases do. I explored scenarios and situations in which he could suffer from these diseases and he became anxious, uncomfortable, and afraid. He was actually upset with me and said, “But now I just can’t go pick anyone up.”

It was then I realized fear is for children. Why does a child not cheat on an exam? Fear of getting caught. Why do childlike people not drink and drive? Fear of arrest. Why do children pick up their toys, make their bed, and do their chores? Fear of punishment.

How much more might a parent “threaten” if their child was engaged in something dangerous and not listening? If your child was riding their bike toward an oncoming car that was hidden from the child’s view and if your child didn’t stop when you told them, would you threaten them and raise your voice in an angry tone? Might you say, “If you don’t stop right now I will beat your bottom raw” or some other threatening statement in order to get them to stop? If your child didn’t stop and was hit by the car would you then get out your belt and beat them?

This is how God operates. God is love. God is working to heal and protect, working to save and restore. But sometimes, when his earthborn children are heading off into self-destruction, He raises His voice and threatens to destroy, to inflict a severe punishment, hoping we will stop and listen and be saved. But if we don’t, God will sadly let us go.  Just like a child who gets hit by the car after ignoring their parent’s threatening warning, God doesn’t have to use His power to kill or destroy, because “sin when it is full grown brings forth death” James 1:15.

Sadly, too many Christians and far too many pastors fail to recognize God is our loving Father and as our loving Father He will meet us where we are. If we are too childlike to listen, too childlike to reason or follow the truth or intelligently implement His methods, then rather than watch us die God lovingly threatens, thunders, and shouts, even inciting fear, in order to get our attention and save us from ourselves. But if we refuse to listen, if we insist on going our own way, then eventually God sadly lets go and we die. But before He lets us go our gracious God is so awesome that, like any loving parent, He will raise His voice, He will scream for us to stop, He will even threaten us with harm all designed to save us from ourselves. Yes, God does sometimes use methods designed to insight fear, but fear is for children – God is waiting for us to grow up and come to know Him as He really is. And when we do that, then we will know as Moses did at Sinai, when all the people trembled in fear, that in truth “there is no reason to be afraid.” Exodus 20:18-20.

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Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.

 

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We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

Ashleighn C.

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 27

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA