1 Peter 3.6 commands that we not fear anything that is frightening. This verse commands the very opposite of that which is normal or of our human nature: do not fear that which is frightening.

What else is there to fear except that which is frightening?

The Scriptures would answer God. God alone is to be feared for He alone can cast man’s soul to hell. Yet we are commanded to love God.

How do we love and fear God?

We love God when we obey His commands and we fear God when we repent from our failure to obey those same commands.

We love God because He is merciful, gracious and good but we fear God because He is holy, just and righteous.

When we fear anything but God we live as though God were not in control of the world. When we love anything but God we live as though we will not be accountable to God.

While it is human nature to fear the future it is the spiritual nature to trust Him Who holds the future and so live toward the future without fear. There is much to frighten us; the economy, government, world chaos, natural disasters, human nature but God rules over all.

The church has always suffered at the hands of evil men but the saints lived through these times by faith and not fear.

Fear causes us to disobey God because we shrink back from God and obedience to His commands in order to appease men.

Love trusts in the future and overcomes fear by doing what is right today regardless of feelings. Fear keeps us from moving forward but loves drives us forward.

We are to live as lovers of God warning those who do not yet love God to repent lest they fall into the hands of His awful wrath.