When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.” Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. (Exodus 20:18-21, NRSV)
Do not be afraid for God has come to test you and to make you fear Him and will not sin.
So if you are afraid to come close to God, you are not alone. But God is not a God that should be feared for what He will do to us, God should be held in awe, or reverence, which is a holy fear.
This is the fear parents want their children to have of them. Not that you want your children to be afraid of you, so they know they can come and talk to you about issues and what is happening, but you want them to respect you and wonder what might happen if they do not follow the rules. That is what God wants from us. Awe and respect.
aSacredRebel 