The liberating Fear

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man The presence of God in us and with us magnetises us so that we attract what is good and repel what is evil just as a current of electricity magnetises an iron bar. The commandments of the Lord God, Creator of the Universe are the true law. The laws of man are but a mere shadow of it. The fear of God and the fact that we will one day be judged for every work of our life including every secret in our life, whether it be good or evil will guard us. The love of God and His commandments enshrined in His Word will goad us in the right direction. The fear of God is not a debilitating fear but an all pervasive liberating fear. It is the one fear that gives us freedom from all other fears. The love of God is the other side of the coin. True respect for a person is not reflected in fear on the outside and contempt or hatred from within but in love on the inside and obedience and reverence on the outside. Our personal relationship with God should manifest this kind of true respect. This uni-verse states unequivocally that this is the whole duty of man. There is no need for any other ritual or show of religiousity. It is of the essence of life. It is wholesome, life-sustaining and life-enhancing. The commandments of God gives us a framework within which we can act. It is like the frame of a beautiful painting. Without the frame, the painting however beautiful would not last too long and it cannot be mounted in a suitable way to reflect its beauty to people and the world at large. Prateep V Philip