Fear Can Motivate

Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one among you will do such an evil thing again. Deuteronomy 13:11

As a kid there were times I was obedient out of fear of what my father would do. Fear of a traffic ticket keeps my speed down. There is a value to fear for compliance. There are better motivators and as we mature we realize that love is the best motivator, but fear has often kept me in check. God used fear and still does. That is why Luther explains all the commandments with these words, “We should fear and love God . . .” Having said all this, I pray we are mature enough today to live godly lives out of love.