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Chapter 23

Loving, Fearing and Obeying God

1. Loving and Fearing God
   1. Love God
      • Love God . . .
      • . . . Love Jesus Christ
      • Love and treasure God’s word
      • Love for God and Jesus Christ is shown by obeying them
      • Love for them is linked with loving and caring for other Christians
   2. The Importance of Loving God
      • Loving God is of the utmost importance
      • God and Jesus Christ love those who love them
      • God cares for those who love him
      • Various spiritual blessings from loving God and Jesus Christ
      • Blessings in the afterlife from loving God
   3. Fear God
      • Fear and be in awe of God
      • Fear God to the extent that you tremble before him . . .
      • . . . and tremble at God’s word
      • Do not fear anyone or anything but God
      • Further examples of people fearing God
      • Note: God’s people should not live in fear of his punishment
   4. Why God Should Be Feared
      • God’s surpassing greatness and sovereignty
      • God’s great deeds . . .
      • . . . including God’s creative work and control over nature
      • God’s anger and judgment . . .
      • . . . Ominous commands to be silent before God in the face of his judgment
      • God’s holiness
      • God’s love and forgiveness
   5. The Importance of Fearing God (I): Godly Living
      • Fearing God is closely associated with obeying him
      • Fear of God is associated with righteous living
      • Fearing God compels one to avoid sin and evil
      • Fearing God and Jesus Christ ensures we deal rightly with others
      • Not fearing God is linked with ungodliness – and the consequences
   6. The Importance of Fearing God (II): Blessings
      • God delivers and protects those who fear him
      • Fear of God leads to life . . .
      • . . . along with physical and material blessings
      • Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge
      • Further present-day blessings of fearing God
      • Future blessings for those who fear God

2. Obeying God
   1. Obey God
      • Keep God’s commands
      • Do all that God commands
      • Obey God always – forever
      • Do God’s will . . .
      • . . . Do what pleases God
      • Obey Jesus Christ
      • We should obey God because he is our God . . .
      • . . . It is no good expressing commitment to God and Jesus Christ without obeying them
      • We should obey God and Jesus Christ because of the great things they have done for us
      • Note: Implications of not obeying God
   2. Learn God’s Commands – and All His Word
      • Learn God’s commands
      • Ask God to teach you his ways and commands
      • Persistently read and study God’s commands – and all of God’s word
      • Listen carefully and pay attention to God’s word and commands
      • Listen carefully to Jesus’ teaching
      • Pay attention to all Christian teaching
      • Receive and believe God’s word
      • Note: Not listening to God and his word has ill consequences
   3. How to Obey God
      • Do what you learn of God’s and Jesus Christ’s word . . .
      • . . . Do not just listen to God’s word
      • Ask God to help you follow his ways and commands
      • Submit yourself to God
      • Obey God wholeheartedly
      • Delight in God’s commands
      • Be careful to obey God
      • Note: God’s and Jesus Christ’s commands are not too difficult or burdensome
   4. Blessings of Obeying God
      • General promises of blessing
      • God’s and Jesus Christ’s love
      • God’s help
      • The realization of God’s promises
      • Peace and rest
      • Other present-day spiritual blessings
      • Future blessings
      • Note: Ill consequences of not obeying God
   5. Epilogue: Follow Jesus Christ
      • Follow Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . Be a disciple of Jesus Christ
      • Follow Jesus Christ’s example
      • Follow Jesus Christ’s example of love and service of others
      • Further aspects of Jesus Christ’s example to follow
      • Make Jesus Christ your Lord . . .
      • . . . Live for Jesus Christ, pleasing him
      • Be willing to give up everything to follow Jesus Christ
      • Blessings of following Jesus Christ
      • Note: Follow God and his commands . . .
      • . . . and imitate God, as children of God

 ➜Major headings in: 23. Loving, Fearing and Obeying God (and all of Unit E)

Pray for persecuted Christians