Thorn: This higher form of fear is...

You don’t need to be afraid of anything, but you do need to fear your God with a holy reverence. Such “fear” is an aspect of faith that responds to God’s holiness, sovereignty, and transcendence.

This higher form of fear is that which leads to awe, adoration, and carefulness of life because of the intimate knowledge of your Maker and Redeemer. What should you fear in life above a holy God who forgives the sins of unholy men like yourself? What can be taken from you? Your possessions can go up in flames, but you have treasure in heaven and stand to inherit the kingdom. Your reputation may be sullied, but you are justified in Jesus. You may be rejected by those you admire, but you are accepted by God. You may be hated, but your Father in heaven loves you with an undying love. What is there in this life to fear?

The fear you need to maintain and cultivate is a fear of God, for in it you will discover wisdom and develop strength that enables you to persevere in faith to the end.

Thorn, J., & Storms, S. (2011). Note to self: the discipline of preaching to yourself. Wheaton, IL: Crossway.

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