Perfect Love Removes Terror, Not Reverence
Scripture says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). John is not removing the fear of God. He is removing the terror of condemnation for those who abide in Christ.
A child does not live in dread of punishment—they hope in their Father’s love. So the one who walks in Christ should not constantly fear death or hell. If a believer lives every day terrified that they might be damned, something is wrong. They have not yet understood the Spirit’s witness:
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1:13)
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:14–16)
We are not waiting for wrath. We have hope of eternal life:
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
But that confidence only belongs to those who walk in love and obedience:
“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:16–17)
This boldness in judgment belongs to disciples, not rebels. True love doesn’t remove obedience—it produces it.
Holy Fear Keeps Us From Sin
Fear of God is not the dread of being struck at random. It is the sober awareness that God cannot be mocked and we will reap what we sow:
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7–8)
Jesus commands this fear:
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
This fear is not panic or paranoia—it is wisdom.
Illustration:
Gravity is deadly. We don’t panic every moment that gravity will crush us. But we never dance on the edge of a skyscraper. A right fear keeps us away from danger.
So it is with God. He is holy. He is Judge. We flee sin because sin leads to destruction. That is not superstition; that is faith.
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31)
This is more than “respect.” It is trembling sobriety before the Holy One.
Fear and Assurance Work Together
We are not under wrath now, but God is impartial. Therefore we do not play games with grace.
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28–29)
Fear does not steal confidence; sin steals confidence.
Living in holiness produces boldness; living in rebellion produces terror. Those who “willfully continue in sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth” should expect judgment:
“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.… The Lord will judge His people.… It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:26–31)
The solution is not to erase fear—it is to walk in obedience so fear becomes protective, not punitive.
Fear That Leads to Faithfulness
Philippians gives the balance plainly:
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12–13)
Since God is working in us, we dare not receive His grace in vain:
“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:1–2)
We do not coast. We do not presume. We fight:
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called.” (1 Timothy 6:12)
Love gives assurance.
Fear guards holiness.
Grace empowers obedience.
Judgment sobers us to stay the course.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14)
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