Dig Deeper
In 1 John 4:18 the apostle John writes, “There is no
fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves
punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love” (HCSB).
Later in a vision from God recorded in Revelation John declares, “Who shall not
fear you, O Lord, and glorify Your name?” (Revelation 15:4, KJV). Many Scriptures in both the Old and New
Testaments command us to fear the Lord, for example, “The fear of the LORD is
the beginning of knowledge and “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.
Honor the king” (Proverbs 1:7 and 1
Peter 2:17).
How ought a Christian to reconcile John’s assertion,
“There is no fear in love…” with numerous other commands to fear God? The
answer lies in understanding there is a healthy and unhealthy fear of God. It
is unhealthy for a Christian to fear punishment for sin because Jesus as our
propitiation has taken that punishment therefore there is “now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1). Growing in our understanding
of God’s holiness, greatness and goodness are all motives for healthy fear of
God.
What do the following Scriptures describe as
unhealthy reasons for fear?
1 John 4:17-18--
Romans 8:15--
2 Timothy 1:7--
Hebrews 2:14-18--
What motives for a healthy fear of God are revealed
in the following Scriptures?
Revelation 15:4--
Psalm 2:11; 112:1; 115:13; Proverbs 1:7; 14:27; 15:16;
and Malachi 4:2--
Deuteronomy 10:12. 17--
1 Samuel 12:24--
Colossians 3:22--
Application
What specific ways to you sense the Holy Spirit
leading you to cultivate a healthy fear and reject an unhealthy of God?
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