2 Timothy 2:1-7 (NASB) says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Too often it seems that churches can find themselves trying to win people to Christ by preying on emotions and instilling fear in their hearts! Such subjects as eternity in hell, missing the “rapture” or the possibility of someone not answering the altar call during a particular church service may later that night pass away in a car accident because “we are not promised tomorrow” may serve as some examples. While I do believe no one is promised tomorrow and in the scriptural teachings on hell, I also recognize that not one single person will ever step fully into their identity in Christ and fulfill the potential of the kingdom of heaven for their lives if they are always “living in fear” and never being “empowered” to be a witness in the earth!
You are not saved and do not serve God because you are scared of going to hell, but you love Him because He first loved you (1 John 4:19)! You will never be scared into fulfilling the purposes of God for your life, but encountering the power of God’s love, grace and mercy are what change you! In simple terms, fear and the gospel do not mix. Once you truly comprehend the love of God in bankrupting heaven so Jesus Christ could redeem us from sin and become the propitiation for our sins by allowing us direct access to the throne room of heaven, this love cannot help but cause us to serve God wholeheartedly and walk in obedience to His Word! When His perfect love remains within you, fear will not stay. God’s love and fear cannot cohabit together within our bodily temples. One will stay and the other will have to leave. Therefore, we must choose the love of God over fear!
It is one thing to be bound by a spirit of fear and another to walk in the fear of the LORD. There is a huge difference! While the spirit of fear brings panic and intimidation, the fear of God is about abiding and sustaining a holy reverence to who God is and what is dear to His heart. We cannot lose sight of God’s holiness because He is worthy of every single bit of it!
If you are seeking to encourage others and be a witness for Christ, never use fear as a motivator. Help people to learn about, receive and understand more concerning how much God really loves them. If the love of God cannot save you, then the fear of God cannot keep you! It is His love that receives us and refuses to allow us to remain where we are, but we simply go from glory to glory in Him!