The Fear of God: A Blessing of the New Covenant
In the realm of Old Testament piety, the fear of God was a phrase often used to describe a deep reverence for the Almighty. However, this concept extends far beyond the Old Testament, as the right fear of God is explicitly a blessing of the new covenant. As Jeremiah prophesied, “I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me” (Jer. 32:40).
A Fear That Unites, Not Divides
This fear is not the same as the devilish fear that drives us away from God. Instead, it’s a fear that keeps us from drawing back or turning away from Him. It’s not a “spirit of slavery” that instills fear, but rather a Spirit-worked fear that serves a good purpose in driving sinners to Christ. This fear is relieved by grace, and it’s not the same as the fear that is “the soul of godliness” or “the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10).
The Intensity of Love
In Jeremiah 33, God explains the nature of this new covenant fear, saying, “They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it” (Jer. 33:9). This fear is not rooted in punishment or wrath, but rather in the overwhelming goodness and blessings of God. It’s a fear that leans towards God because of His goodness, a fear that is synonymous with love.
A Fear That Marvels
When Jesus raised the widow of Nain’s son, the people were seized with fear and glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” (Luke 7:14-16). This fear is not what we might expect, but rather a marveling fear that is deeply connected to love. As Charles Spurgeon put it, “The sort of fear which has in it the very essence of love, and without which there would be no joy even in the presence of God.”
Fear and Love: Two Sides of the Same Coin
The closer we look, the more we see that fear and love are intertwined. In Psalm 145, we read, “He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy” (Ps. 145:19-20). Similarly, Moses equates fear and love in his summary of the law, saying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deut. 6:5).
Redefining Love
We often misunderstand love, thinking it’s just a vague preference or predilection. But love changes according to its object. The nature of a love is defined by its object. When we say we love God, we mean something entirely different from when we say we love a good book or a cozy armchair. Our love for God must be a trembling, overwhelmed, and fearful love, because He is infinitely perfect and quintessentially beautiful in every way.
The True Fear of God
In the end, the right fear of God is not the flip side to our love for God. Rather, it’s a way of speaking about the intensity of the saints’ love for and enjoyment of all that God is. As William Bates put it, “There is nothing more fearful than an ingenuous love, and nothing more loving than a filial fear.” The true fear of God is to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Leave a Reply