On more than one occasion, I have found myself trying to explain an apparent conundrum in the Bible.  On the one hand, we are commanded to fear God.  Psalm 2:11 (ESV) seems very straightforward:

“Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”

Indeed, Proverbs 9 tells us this is not only commanded; it is wise:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” — Proverbs 9:10

These are the kinds of verses we teach in Sunday School, as well as the kind of things we teach new converts.  But we also know the very famous 1 John 4:18, “

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

Well, which one is it?  Are we to fear, or are we not?  The normal answer that is given is that the fear of God is equivalent to reverence for God. It’s just another way of saying revere God or give Him the respect He is due.  Yeah, that’s true as far as it goes.  But please hear the recorded words of Jesus.

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” — Luke 12:4–5

The reason you fear God is because He has the power to throw you into hell!  So that, as we can clearly see, is more than reverence and respect.  It is the terror of what the ultimate Ruler of all things can do should we disobey Him.

So how do we put these two seemingly contradictory things together? Am I to fear punishment from God, or am I not?  Which is it?  Can they both be true?  Yes, I think they can.

I think the promise in 1 John (that perfect love casts out fear) refers to the person whose sins are forgiven, who is repentant and who trusts in the Lord — their punishment was laid onto the Cross.  Hence, having been perfectly loved by God, the threat of punishment is removed because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross.  This is essential Christian teaching. I have renounced my sin, and I have laid my life on the finished work of Christ, in which He was punished on my behalf.  Justice has been satisfied, and I have found mercy and grace.  This is perfect love, and the fear that I should suffer for my sins has now been removed.

But having said that, we should remember another truth.  Hebrews 10:26–27 says,

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.”

This warning is not directed to those who are yet so weak they have not gained the spiritual maturity to overcome the flesh.  This is a deliberate act.  This is the person who counts on forgiveness, and for that reason they won’t bend the knee and submit to God.  That person should be very afraid.  Indeed, if we contemplate willful, deliberate sin, we should fear God and not do it.

So we are left with this: Fear God—yes, absolutely—for He holds ultimate authority and power. But if you have repented and placed your faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross, then fear not His abandonment or rejection, for His love is perfect and His promises are unbreakable. You belong to Him, and He will never let you go.