1 John 4:18 (AMPC) declares: “There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].” This scripture leads to the theme of “The Divine Paradox: The Fear and Love of God.”

In this message, Senior Pastor Travis Tullis helps explore the essential distinction between servile fear—a fear rooted in punishment—and filial fear—a reverent awe born out of love and respect for God. The focus scriptures are Psalm 27:1; Romans 1:18-21; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 1 John 4:18-19 and 2 Corinthians 7:1.

When we have a relationship with God, our servile fear turns into a filial fear. As a child who was separated from our parents, we are brought back to our heavenly Father by filial fear. During this transformative power from servile fear to filial fear, we can have a Holy Reverence towards God. The servile fear is before we came to Christ, but filial fear is after we establish an intimate relationship with Christ.

Thank you, Senior Pastor Tullis, for leading us forward and higher together, and for encouraging us to understand we must have a healthy balance of fear and love for our Heavenly Father, so that we flourish in our relationships while here on earth.