OUTLINE:

Ecc 12:13 (emphasis mine)
“The CONCLUSION...when ALL has been heard, is...FEAR GOD and keep His commandments... because this applies to EVERY person.”

Jesus’ Personal Encouragement
Jn 14:1 “Do not let your heart be troubled [e.g., live without fear in your life]; believe in God, believe also in Me.”

Gal 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

1Jn 5:4
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.

“the outcome of your faith the salvation [deliverance] of your souls”
Faith is what makes us victorious over our enemies in this world (1Jn 5:4). We are saved (delivered) daily, remember, by the grace of God. We do not save ourselves, nor do others. We mustn’t buy the lie that man is able to deliver himself.

It’s Strange, Isn’t It?
It’s strange to think that we defend those things in our lives that stand opposed to God’s will; and yet, we do so vehemently!

“A pupil is not above his teacher”
In other words, if I, your pastor, not only admit to imperfections, but also that I have defended them over the years... then what say you, my “pupils”?

1Ki 9:7
then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will cast out of My sight. So Israel will become a proverb [a taunt-song] and a byword [a sharp taunt] among all peoples.

Heb 12:7 [Amplified]
You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

Eph 6:4 [Amplified]
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Col 3:21 [Amplified]
Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].

Fatherhood
The Bible teaches us that father’s have the highest authority in families. We are to submit to our fathers. Fathers are to evaluate/ judge rightly over their children. “A fool rejects his father’s discipline” (Pr 15:5).

Fatherhood
Don’t ever dishonor God’s divinely ordained chain of command by saying something eternally foolish like, “Why do you care what your father thinks about you?” The Bible clearly states that it matters what your fathers (Father, father, shepherd) think about you, for they (all of them) have been charged to look after your soul!