The bible frequently uses the word "fear" as something we should aspire to. For example, Proverbs 28:14 (KJV) reads
Happy is the man that feareth alway.
And Psalm 2:11 (KJV) directs us to
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
But "fear" as a desirable mindset stands in sharp contrast to the values of modern society, where "bravery" and "courage" are considerable noble attributes. Moreover, we are to "love" God, but how does "fear" fit into a concept of love?
There are two reasons for us to "fear." First, fear offers a strong sign of our humility, and, as James 4:6 (KJV) states,
God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Second, and more importantly, we should accept how fragile our salvation really is, and we should legitimately fear the alternative to that salvation. As 1 Peter 4:18 (KJV) puts it,
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
This passage in 1 Peter helps me reconcile the love-of-God/fear-of-God juxtaposition. We should definitely love him and praise him, because he has placed us just barely on this right side of salvation through no effort on our own part, but rather just because he loves us. And we should genuinely fear what would happen were that love to disappear.
