It seems that many people feel that they have looked for God everywhere and that they have asked God to reveal himself to them but He has not done so. The things of the spirit and of the gospel remain a mystery to them and they are not sure they have ever heard from the Lord. Paul warned about this situation when he wrote to the Corinthians saying: "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV) But Jesus warned that not everyone would receive the Spirit when he said: "The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor know him." (John 14:17 NIV)
Woe is me. I cannot find God because I do not have the Spirit and I cannot get the Spirit because I do not know him. So how can I find God? The Psalmist David gives us the answer when he writes: "The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them." (Psalm 25:14 NIV) The book of Proverbs sets it course with these words: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7 NIV)
If you want to find God begin by fearing him. By the way - fear means "reverence, respect, awe"
Thank you for your definition of 'fear', I once saw that on a church sign when I wanted to know more about God, but was afraid to enter church because of 'fear'. I knew I was not good enough to be a Christian and I only understood man's interpretation of 'fear', it took a long time to get to know God and then be revealed truth and understanding based on scripture from His Word. I still find that word hard to use and prefer other choices just as I found the word "love" hard to use when His Love entered my life. Praise God for wisdom and understanding.
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