Is it better to fear or love God?

For the Christian, we can have healthy fear of God because God is the Loving Creator who can discipline us when we behave destructively without compassion. But John 4:18 says: “There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.”

Does Jesus tell us to fear God?

Jesus warned us to have fear of God while demonstrating His perfect love on the cross. He told us that we should be hating evil while showing mercy and grace for the people He encountered. Jesus Christ understood that fearing God helps us from falling into our sinful nature.

What Jesus taught about fear?

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” “Do not fear the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid. Do not fear him, declares the LORD, for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand.”

What does it mean to fear God?

Stop right now and thank God for loving you and sending His Son to die for you. To fear God is not to shrink back from Him in terror. To fear God is to have a deep reverence for Him, and to stand in awe at His holiness and majesty and power and love. Only then will we love and serve and worship Him as we should.

Can You Fear God and still love him?

Yes, the Bible’s command to fear God and yet also love Him may seem like a contradiction at first—but once you understand what the Bible actually means, the contradiction goes away. Let me explain. It’s true that the Bible repeatedly tells us to fear God: “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him” (Psalm 33:8).

Is there no fear in love?

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. The apparent contradiction here is that we are told to both love and fear God, and yet 1 John says there is no fear in love.

What does John John say about love driving out fear?

John, apparently writing to believers, reminds them that because of God’s love, “we will have confidence on the day of judgment.”. In other words, “perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.”. Those who love God and believe in him know that he loves them and can trust in him to save them.