"'I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.[a] Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?[b] And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.'" Luke 12:4-7
"And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me." Jeremiah 32:38-40
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19
CONSIDERATIONS
1. The fear of God (for the disciple of Christ) is the emotive, trembling joy which leads to worship and service.
2. This fear of joyful trembling distances/drives away other fears.
"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." Hebrew 2:14-15
3. It is a distinct blessing of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:33).
"And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'" Luke 22:20
It is the result of knowing Christ, the eternal King and our Mediator.
“In this ruin of mankind, no one now experiences God either as Father or Author of salvation or favorable in any way, until Christ the Mediator comes forward to reconcile him to us. Nevertheless, it is one thing to feel that God is our Maker, supports us by his power, governs us by his providence, nourishes us by his goddess, and attends us with all sorts of blessings-and another thing to embrace the grace of reconciliation offered to us in Christ.” John Calvin, The Institutes Book 1, Chapter 1
4. “Emotive, trembling joy?"
Emotions can be high, low or medium. We are called to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Luke 10:27).
“We are taught to pray that God would give His Holy Spirit unto us that through His aid and assistance we might live unto God as called out people (Luke 11:9-13)... He who does not pray constantly and diligently for the Spirit of God, that He may be made more holy a partaker of Him is a stranger from Christ and his gospel.” John Owen, The Works of John Owen, Vol. 3: The Holy Spirit, p.155
“'It is to be feared that most of us do not know how much of glory may be present in our daily living, nor how much of heaven may be attained in holiness on the earth… Our duty is to be always perfect in the holiness in the fear of God,' (2 Corinthians 7:1). This pursuit in a due manner is continually transforming the soul into the likeness of Christ. Much of the glory of heaven may dwell in a simple cottage, and poor persons, even under rags, may be very like unto God.'” John Owen, The Works of John Owen, Vol. 3: The Holy Spirit, p. 583
“This whole matter of sanctification (growth in the Lord) and holiness is peculiarly joined with and limited unto the doctrine, truth and grace of the gospel. FOR HOLINESS IS NOTHING BUT THE IMPLANTING, WRITING, AND REALIZING OF THE GOSPEL IN OUR HEARTS.” John Owen, The Works of John Owen, Vol. 3: The Holy Spirit, p. 370 & 371
Placing ourselves in the path of His blessings/the way of allurement.