18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” 21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:18-21 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/exo.20.18-21.NIV.
The presence of God is awesome. It is terrible and frightening. The people feared as they saw the smoke billow out of the thick darkness covering the mountain. The Lord showed Himself strong and powerful before them. They charged Moses to go and speak to God on their behalf because they feared. Moses stood as a go between…much in the same way Christ is our go between. Scripture reminds us that He’s our great advocate pleading our case before the Father. If we were left to our own devices, we would not have what it takes to approach God. But Christ opened up the way …He became the way through which we access the heavenly Father. But as the people sought Moses to represent them before God, he reminded them that the display of God’s awesomeness was to keep the fear of God in them to deter them from sinning. God’s grace is displayed in the Person of Jesus Christ. However an invitation to forgiveness is not a ticket to keep on sinning. God still punishes sin and warns us from engaging in it. The gospel is a message of grace and forgiveness to all. But above and beyond, it’s a call to obedience. So if we choose to disobey and rebel, His judging nature will be revealed to us both in this life and in the life to come. But if we confess our sins before Him, He’s faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
LIFE SCRIPTS 
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