“He that feareth God.” I will say something on this.  A misunderstanding of this may do serious harm.  Let me first say that our heavenly Father, God, is not a despot or tyrant.  There is no element in his nature or essence that in the slightest degree savors of despotism or tyranny.  Jesus says:  “He that seeth me seeth the Father:  the Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.  And from henceforth ye have both seen the Father and know him.”  Jesus was also called Emmanuel, which, being interpreted, is, “God with us.”  Do we, then, desire a correct knowledge of God the Father?  Let us acquaint ourselves with his Son Jesus Christ, and we will have it, for he came to do the will of the Father.  This was his explicit work; and he accomplished it, for he says in his last great prayer:  “And now, O Father, I come to thee, having finished the work thou gavest me to do.”

Now I ask, Did Jesus ever show anything else than good will toward men?  Is there not manifest love in every act of his recorded life?  Did he not go about doing good?  Did he not say:  “No man hath greater love than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you”?  God’s love is seen in the life work and words of Jesus.

Now, then, in what sense is Jesus Christ to be feared?  In the very sense in which his disciples feared him.  But this was not in the sense of being timid or fearful of his presence.  On the contrary, they desired to be with him and near him, for they felt secure in his presence.  They could take hold of his hands and see the nail prints, and the spear mark in his side.  John leaned on his breast at table, and the women took hold of his feet.  His word of comfort was:  “Fear not,” and he often repeated this in their ears.  “Be not afraid; it is I.”  In all this we see the heart of our heavenly Father, for “the Son is the express image of him.”  In what sense, then, are we to fear God?  Only in the sense of fear to go counter to his will.  “Perfect love casteth out fear.”  The redeemed saints and angels who stand before his heavenly throne in perfect love know no fear of God, “for fear hath torment.”  But we, who still grovel on earth battling with the world, the flesh and the devil, have cause to fear offending his righteous and holy will.  But this only when we are tempted to leave some duty undone or to commit some actual sin.  As long as we walk in the good way of love, faith and obedience we have nothing to fear.  To all such Jesus ever says:  “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure [delight, joy] to give you the kingdom.”