“We must reverentially fear God’s nature, but we should not doubt his nurture …”

“Christians gain spiritual power from the certainty of God’s support. Self-preserving, human efforts may result from fear of a God who will get you if you get out of line, but such works mistake outer conformity to God’s standards with holiness from the heart …

Spiritual worship (Romans 12:1)–the selfless actions and inner desire to honor God–cannot result from threats. Proper fear of God in  his people is not a concern for his wrath but a reverence for his holiness. We must reverentially fear his nature, but should not doubt his nurture. He will not harm those who are covered in the righteousness of his own Son and who, thus, are divinely loved as dearly as He.” Bryan Chapell, Holiness by Grace: Delighting in the Joy That is Our Strength