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The Use of Fear Elder Truman Keel

(Rom. 8:15) “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have
received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father.” Did you notice He

connected bondage again with fear? We have received the Spirit of adoption, having
been adopted in the family of God.

Now we find the scriptures using the word fear in a positive manner. (II Cor. 7:1)

“Having therefore these promises, (Ch. 6:17-18) dearly beloved, let us cleanse our-
selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
(V 7:1) is based upon what He stated in verse (6:18). “And will be a father unto you,
and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” We are His children

and He is instructing us to cleanse ourselves. To cleanse the flesh is to bring our
bodies under subjection. Laboring to walk in righteousness. Concerning the spirit this
has to be referring to our spirit because God’s Spirit has never before nor will it ever
in the future have any filthiness about it. Our mind and our ungodly thoughts need to

be cleansed. Purge our minds of all evil and worldly thoughts. Be spiritual minded,
Labor at perfecting (completing) holiness in the fear (reverential fear) of God. We will
never live complete holiness in this world, but we should strive to that end.

(Phil. 2:12) “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed. Not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling.” This is something for us to do. You must have life to work. You must be
in possession of Salvation to work it out. He says this to be done with fear and trem-

bling. We are to work the salvation He has given us by His grace. It appears the words
(with modesty and humility) might be appropriate. We should always be in fear and
trembling when we try to work in a Godly way before our Saviour

Remember brethren, perfect love casteth out this slavish fear. Let us serve our God
with a reverential fear.

God’s children have enough problems in life. Let us as servants of God, refrain from

causing them to fear with a slavish and human fear, but let us follow the instructions
of (Isa. 40:1-2) “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people saith your God. Speak ye comfort-
ably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniq-
uity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”

What good news, not something to fearful of but something to rejoice in.