If you are going to fear, fear the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10). But Jesus commanded us to love the Lord our God. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear (I John 4:18). For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind (I Tim. 1:7). Who is there that will harm you if you become followers of what is good But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake you are blessed (I Peter 3:13-14). Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or clanging cymbal. And though I have prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing (I Cor. 12:18).
The scriptures contain verse after verse that tells one or all to fear the Lord. How can that be when there is no fear in love? Love is a gift of the Holy Spirit sent to us by God. But one needs to accept Christ Jesus and receive the gift that is the Holy Spirit. If you are walking outside of the body of Christ and have not received the Holy Spirit and are living in a life dominated by fear, it is better that you fear God. If you have accepted Christ Jesus as your savior but are still battling the fears of a lifetime without God, it is better that you fear God. If you are going to fear, it is better that you fear God. When a trial come upon you, you need to turn to God; if you do not turn out of love, then turn to Him out of fear instead of fearing the trial. In all things, it is better to love the Lord our God. Respect given out of love is better than fear.
The Holy Spirit will bring to the believer a better understanding of the written word of God and deliver the spoken Word of God, that is Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit will bring to the believer a better understanding of the love of God, that God loved us first. The Holy Spirit will produce within us the fruit that is love. Until these things are worked in us and while we live in fear and not love, it is better that you fear God than to fear satan, man or worldly things that keep us from understanding. The fear of the Lord our God is the beginning of wisdom and will lead us to and not away from God. The prefect love of God will cast out fear. God has and will not give to us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and wisdom.
What harm can come to you if you love the Lord you God? Are not all commandments contained in the love of God and love for one another? If you fear death, the loss of physical life, and do not come to God that gives one eternal life, hasn’t your fear given to you the thing you feared? So then, fear God until the love of God removes the fear. Then God has taken away the thing you fear. If you fear satan, Jesus has overcome satan; if you are going to fear, fear the victor until love comes and takes away the fear. Realize God by living Him. How can we live God? By loving God and loving one another. God loved us first and sent us His Son; accept the love by accepting His Son, Jesus. The Holy Spirit is then sent to you and brings the fruit of love. The love is then returned to God and to one another. As part of the body of Christ Jesus, the Son, we become part of the love that God sends. If you fear the rejection and do not pass on love, you have rejected and became the thing you fear. If you are going to fear, fear God and become the love that removes the fear.
God has called us all to minister (serve) each other. The gifts of the Holy Spirit prepare us to serve each other as a body, different parts performing different functions, but all one body in the spirit of love. But if we have gifts and use the gifts without love we have done nothing but make noise and been seen as good. For no one is good except God. To be good we accept God and perform works out of our love for God and for one another. Salvation is ours, rejoice because your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). If we fear using our gifts to serve, then out of fear we bury our talent in the earth and it produces nothing. If we use our gifts to try to dominate and/or control (a spirit born out of fear) then we assume the role of the head and deny Jesus with our actions. Love God and one another – by accepting the love God gives to us – by accepting the Lord Christ Jesus. Do not let fear rob you of your gifts. Do not remain in fear, let the love of God move you into a life of love.
© 2004, 2017 Tim D. Coulter Sr.