Interesting how we sometimes perceive that God in the Old Testament wants His followers to fear Him, while in the New Testament He simply wants us to love Him. In reality this is a very flawed perception, and not one based on the text. In fact there are more imperatives in the New Testament to fear God than there are to love Him. Of course love is critical, but we should not miss the significance of the fear of the Lord (see Prov. 1:7 and 9:10). In fact, we might even understand that we cannot love Him properly without fearing Him properly.
Here are a few of the New Testament comments on the fear of the Lord:
Rom 3:18
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
2 Cor 5:11
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
2 Cor 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Eph 5:21
and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
1 Pet 2:17
Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
Rev 14:7
and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”
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