Does fear mean fear, as in afraid, or does fear mean respect? As a pastor, I have gotten that question several times. My understanding is that I "fear" God when I recognize His character and have the appropriate response. Appropriate as in showing reverence, trust, and obedience. I show my deep fear of God by worshiping Him and than serving people.
It seems that is the starting point for my gaining knowledge of spiritual things. To blow God off is to be the fool. The fool is ignorant of spiritual things, therefore, the fool is ignorant of God.
If we want a good starting point for a great life, let's start with a proper fear of God. If you want to know what that looks like, it looks a lot like a person who reverently trusts and obeys God while worshipping Him... not just in words, but in the actions of a servant of others.
And I promise you, there is nothing to fear when it comes to fearing God.
