FEARING THE LORD
The Relationship Between Fear and Love in Our Walk with God
There is a unique and intimate relationship between a father and his son. I deeply loved my father, and I know that he loved me as well. When I was a child, I was full of energy and often made mistakes. My mother would often warn me that if I misbehaved, she would tell my father—and that thought made me fearful. As a child, I feared his discipline. But now that I have grown up, that fear has disappeared. I have come to understand what pleases him and what disappoints him, and I am always sensitive to that.
As I matured, I was no longer afraid of his punishment; instead, I longed for him to be proud of me. Likewise, our relationship with God should not be built on fear but on deep reverence and respect for our heavenly Father.
Does God Use Fear to Bring Sinners to Him?
At times, God may use fear as a tool to awaken sinners and draw them toward repentance. Scripture even supports this. Jude 23 says,
“Save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”
In this sense, fear can be a means God uses to bring people to think seriously about eternity and their need for salvation.
Preachers, too, sometimes appeal to holy fear—not to manipulate, but to warn people about the reality of judgment. God’s purpose in doing this is rooted in love, for He “is faithful and loves all His creation,” regardless of nationality or skin color.
Consider Rahab, the harlot of Jericho. She trusted in the Lord because she recognized His mighty power. She said,
“When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Josh. 2:11).
Her fear of God led her to faith, and her faith led to her salvation. The walls of Jericho fell, but her house stood firm—because she trusted in the Lord.
Fear in the Life of the Mature Believer
When believers grow and mature in their faith, their relationship with God changes. They no longer live in fear of punishment but walk in reverence and love. As the Apostle John writes,
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment” (1 John 4:18).
Mature faith understands and lives in the reality of God’s “perfect love.”
This fear of the Lord is not terror—it is a holy reverence that shapes how we live. Proverbs 23:17 exhorts,
“Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.”
To live in the fear of the Lord means to walk according to His will and commandments. This same truth is seen in Acts 9:31:
“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”
Notice how “fear of the Lord” coexists with peace, strength, encouragement, and growth. This is the fear of a mature believer—one who constantly remembers God’s presence and desires to represent Him faithfully in every action, word, and thought. Such a believer becomes an ambassador of Christ, reflecting His true image to the world.
The Fear of the Lord Expressed in Obedience
An unforgettable example of this mature fear is found in the life of Abraham. When God asked him to offer his son Isaac, Abraham obeyed. The angel of the Lord declared,
“Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son” (Gen. 22:12).
Abraham’s fear of God was expressed through obedience, not terror. His faith and love were proven by his willingness to surrender what was most precious to him.
The covenant between God and Abraham was not based on fear but on trust, love, and faithfulness. It can be compared to the covenant of marriage: a faithful husband and wife do not remain loyal because they are afraid of each other, but because they love and respect one another deeply.
No More Fear of Condemnation
For those who belong to Christ, fear of punishment no longer has a place. The Apostle Paul assures us,
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
This truth gives us complete assurance of salvation. We no longer fear harm—whether in this life or in eternity—because we are secure in the love and grace of our Savior.
The fear of the Lord, then, is not a fear that drives us away from Him, but a reverence that draws us closer. It transforms into love, obedience, and peace as we grow in our relationship with our heavenly Father.
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