Matthew 10:28 says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
As a child, reading this in the King James, I thought it meant we should be scared of God. Men can harm the body, but only God holds eternity. Yet as faith matures, we discover the Bible never teaches us to cower before Him.
John clarifies this in 1 John 4:18: “Perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” The word perfect here means mature, full-grown. Mature love removes the kind of fear that makes us shrink back. It invites us close instead of pushing us away.
Think of a child learning to trust a parent. At first, fear of discipline may linger. But as love deepens, trust grows. The child learns the parent’s heart. In the same way, as our love for God matures, fear of punishment fades. What remains is awe, reverence, and confidence in His goodness.
To fear God is to worship or reverence Him. It is standing in awe of His holiness, bowing in gratitude for His mercy. Mature love steadies the soul. It draws us near, even at Judgment.
Love God in a mature way, and you will have no reason to be scared.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.