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Fear is a word. A word that can have many uses, meanings, depending upon context and intent. Fear is the English word used. Go back to the Greek or Hebrew, which can be very rich in meanings, compared to our poorer language.

LOL at your analysis.

"Trembling" is another word - what is your spin on it's meaning? Do people "tremble" in "fear" in some original Greek or Hebrew text at a creator they should love and respect? Resorting to obscure definitions of the word "fear" is pathetic - this entire thread is based on some screed insisting on the reality of a Hell in which people will be tortured for all eternity. And you think it's possible to reconcile this savage, medieval belief with concepts like love and respect?

LOL at your lack of analysis.

Your beef is not with me FRiend. Your beef is with your Creator and His choice of words. I say, Yes, one should regard God with fear and trembling. So it is written.

All are sinners, saved or not. I pray you are in the former group. But with your discourse, I would suspect not.

I have no fear of that ‘opposite number’. He holds no sway while I keep the Lord in sight.

Your refusal to acknowledge that your Creator should be regarded with ‘fear and trembling’ sounds like a rather healthy dose of self-pride. “For what reason should I fear God? He is nothing to fear at all!!”

I need to reconcile nothing at all. That is done in the Bible for you, if you will read. God is a loving God, and desires that not one be lost to hell. However, along with loving, He is Just. And if a person refuses the way to salvation, then Justice says that there be a penalty, and it will be applied.

Obscure definitions? The Bible was written in other languages not English. Translate your everyday speech into French or Greek and there will be times where you will NOT be understood. Why? Words have different meanings when used in different languages or cultures. Those meanings have EVERY bearing on what is meant by the text.

You do not get to have the God you WANT. He is as He is. He has told us, in the Bible, what is necessary. Read it, do not make the mistake of ‘constructing’ the God you feel warm and comfy with and counting on that to give you salvation. Those without salvation will hear some very sad words, perhaps the saddest in the Bible - “Depart from me, ye workers of iniquities, I never knew you.”