Aren’t we supposed to “fear God?”
Feb 19, 2010
The Case for Grace - part twenty-one in a study of the book of Romans
Mike Gaudet
Isn’t all this talk about God’s love a bit unbalanced?
What about obedience? Doesn’t God judge disobedience?
Aren’t we supposed to “fear God?”
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation — but it is not to the sinful nature (flesh), to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature (flesh), you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:12-16
The Spirit gives life.
The Spirit of God will “give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” When God’s Spirit lives in us, He will move our eternal spirit into an immortal body on the far side of the grave.
The Spirit also gives death.
The Spirit of God will “put to death the misdeeds of the body.” When God’s Spirit lives in us, He will actively suppress actions that serve the interests of our “flesh” at the expense of our “spirit.” “The acts of the sinful nature (flesh) are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” Galatians 5:19-21 The Spirit discourages these deeds because they promote short-term gain but long-term pain.
We cannot live any way we want to live without consequences. “For if you live according to the sinful nature (flesh), you will die.” We are told that we must put to death the practices of the body or be destroyed by them.
God doesn’t just tell us what we’re to do . . . “put to death the misdeeds of the body.”
God also tells us how we’re to do this . . . “by the Spirit.”
How does the Spirit put the misdeeds of the body to death?
The Spirit does not “frighten to death” the misdeeds of the body….“you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,”
The Spirit does “father to death” the misdeeds of the body…“you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
God does not use “a spirit” of “fear” to motivate us to live godly lives. When the Bible talks about the “fear of the Lord” it is encouraging us to revere and respect God, not be afraid of Him. “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.” 1 John 4:18
When we are driven by fear, we attempt to change our behavior in order to escape God’s punishment and condemnation. This is not biblical. Children of God do not need to fear God’s condemnation. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
God doesn’t use the threat of condemnation to motivate His children to obey Him. God uses “the Spirit of sonship” to motivate us to live godly lives. The Spirit encourages us to relate to God as “Abba,” or “Daddy.” God’s Spirit tells us that God is our Father and we are His sons and daughters.
This gets to the heart of the matter. When we feel abandoned and alone, we act in self-centered, self-serving ways. The Holy Spirit encourages us to trust in God’s care for us in order to promote loving actions and attitudes. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23
Someone who speaks for God will not use frightening images of judgment to get you to obey God. This is not how the Holy Spirit promotes obedience.
Someone who speaks for God will focus your attention on God’s fatherly love and care for you and His commitments to you. This is how the Holy Spirit promotes obedience.
Obedience matters…
…that’s why God’s Spirit “testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”