Toward a Fearless New YearSample

Fear and Love in the Christian Life

It is often said that fear of God has no place in the Christian’s life because of 1 John 4:18.

But there are many commandments to fear in the New Testament; for example,Romans 11:20, "They [the Jews] were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith. So do not become proud but fear." Similarly, Hebrews 3:12 warns against unbelief (although the word "fear" is not used): "Take heed, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil unbelieving heart leading you to fall away from the living God."

But we shouldn't get the idea that the writers of the New Testament are opposing one another, as if some are in favor of fear and some against. Here's the solution: a sober fear of God will motivate us to trust his mercy shown in Christ, and then this "trembling trust" will gradually remove the fear that drove us to it as we see more clearly what our Lord has done for us.

Should fear, then, play a role up to a certain point and never again in the Christian life? The point after which fear will have no proper place in the Christian's life is the point at which his love is perfected. But none of us is yet perfected in love; none of us is without moments in which his delight in God fades and the "things which are seen" become deceptively attractive.

Therefore, the second line of "Amazing Grace" is not merely a once-for-all experience. It is for our everyday:

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed.

©2013 Desiring God Foundation. Find many other free resources by John Piper at desiringGod.org