Healthy Fear

Luke 2:1-3-3:22, Proverbs 10

Some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” Luke 3:14

It struck me this morning that yesterday I was moved by the words of the angels, “do not be afraid,” but today I saw those who heard John’s message rightly being afraid. There is the danger when we speak of the love of God that we get some sense that we can do as we please because God will forgive us. John was pretty clear to the soldiers here (and others) that when you repent you also need to change your behavior. Just because God forgives our past sins does not give us license to sin more. To do so is to dishonor all that Jesus did on the cross. We should be scared – if we choose to disobey God.