Psalm 111:10a (NIV) poses, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” This passage seems to contradict 1 John 4:18a (NIV), “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.”
The answer starts with seeing the fear of the Lord as the source of wisdom. If we want wisdom we will respect (an aspect of fear) God. When God reveals that he wants a loving relationship with us we come face to face with this question. Wisdom teaches us to fear the Creator against whom we sin. God demonstrated his love by forgiving our sins in Christ. We are invited to love him in return.
1 John 4:16-18 (NIV) is the great summary contrasting fear and love. “We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love…There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
If we’re living in love, fear doesn’t dominate this relationship. We have moved from terror to confident love. It’s not my perfect love for God that drives the fear out of my heart; but rather it is God’s perfect love for me that drives fear out of my life.
A personal encounter with God stirs fear, but also unites my heart (Psalm 86:11-12). I am whole, having an undivided heart. I fear and love only One. Fear is the beginning, and love is the final state.
