Love and Fear

“When John observes that there is no fear in love, he cannot mean that those who love God never experience fear in His presence. There are too many examples to the contrary in both Old and New Testaments.”

The Bible’s repeated emphasis on the fear of the Lord may seem inconsistent with its teaching about the love of God. After all, we don’t typically want those we love to be terrified of us! Love’s characteristic is to draw near rather than shrink back. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

John describes the characteristic of a “perfect” or mature love, a love for God that is marked by three important features. First, it is a love that grows. That this love is “made complete” implies progress or development (v. 17). Second, this love does not originate with us but is a response to God’s love for us. Verse 19 explains, “We love because he first loved us.” Third, it is a love that is not only directed toward God but also toward those whom God loves. In this way, God causes our love for Him to mature: “...if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (v. 12). However, when John observes that there is no fear in love, he cannot mean that those who love God never experience fear in His presence. There are too many examples to the contrary in both Old and New Testaments.

John’s assertion that perfect love “drives out” fear is an implicit acknowledgment that fear is a common reaction for those who experience the presence of God. Such fear springs from our awareness of guilt and the knowledge that we deserve punishment (v. 12). But Jesus has transformed this natural fear into something else by taking our punishment upon Himself. It is what Psalm 19:9 describes as a “pure” or “clean” fear. Only those who know Christ by faith can fear God in this biblical sense. It is a holy reverence that is grounded in faith. They can pray that God’s name will be hallowed (Matt. 6:9). By the power of Christ at work in them, they strive to be holy (Heb. 12:14). God is their Father. Jesus is their Friend. The Spirit is their Helper (John 14:16, 26). Anyone who trusts in Christ’s righteousness can fear God without being terrified.

For Further Study

To learn more, read Rejoice & Tremble: The Surprising Good News of the Fear of the Lord by Michael Reeves (Crossway).