When we were children, most of us remained scared of facing the wrath of God. It was due to that fear we prayed, meditated, and visited Churches with our parents. But God never asked us to fear Him. Instead, He emphasized that love should be the foundation of devotion. The transformation from fear to love in spiritual growth is a journey that allows believers to replace fear with faith and affection. When we build our beliefs on fear, doubts cloud our thoughts, leading to hesitation in our hearts.
This is where the concept of spiritual growth comes into play! It entails the journey from being scared to showing love and affection. If you want to grow spiritually, you must unlearn fear and embrace love. But can you truly abandon deep-rooted fear? And what does spiritual growth really mean? To answer these questions, we have prepared a detailed guide on the transformation from fear to love in spiritual growth.
What do the scriptures say about the foundation of fear?
Fear has been demonstrated as a form of awe and reverence towards the Holy Spirit in the Bible. If you read Proverbs 9:10, you will know that the fear of Jehovah is just the beginning of wisdom. It states that the fear we have in our hearts will help us to gain more knowledge about the Holy One. It’s not the terror of facing God’s wrath and not being able to seek his mercy. Rather, the foundation is more about the deep respect we have in our hearts, knowingly or unknowingly.
Scriptures reveal that it is this fear that paves the way for our spiritual growth. It’s a way we acknowledge that our mortal frailty is nothing compared to God’s justice and infinite power. In Exodus 20:20, it’s mentioned that Moses conveyed to the people of Israel not to fear God for he has come to test them. They also stated that the fear of God is a way to prevent humans from becoming sinners. So, it’s evident that the fear we have in our hearts helps us to deter disobedience and guides us in the path of righteousness.
How does obedience help in transitioning from fear to love for God?
John 14:15 says that if we love God, we should value and follow his commands. This kind of obedience is not rooted in fear of God’s wrath. Rather, it comes from the love and grace we have experienced in the presence of Christ. It forms the foundation of a deep and strong relationship between humans and God. In other words, it’s a form of love that keeps the hearts motivated to adhere to His commandments.
Romans 6:17 demonstrates that humans have adopted obedience to God’s commands despite being slaves to sins. In other words, the transformation from being scared to showing love is propelled by this obedience. It reflects on the transformative strength of the Gospel, allowing humans to move to a commitment full of love and affection.
Does love define the culmination of the journey of spiritual growth?
How will humans know if they have grown spiritually?
It’s a common question that can leave minds troubled with self-doubts. That’s why in John 4:18, it has been said that when there is love, there is no fear. Love can drive out any fear. It reflects the fact that love has and will always be the biggest virtue of any Christian, holding the most importance. Only when love takes the whole heart and drives out the last speck of fear can a person fully embrace the image of Christ. It is at this moment that one can know the spiritual growth journey has finally culminated.
This love that we are talking about is sacrificial, mirroring the acts of Christ in his last moments. He sacrificed himself out of the unconditional love and affection he had for humans. Ephesians 5:2 urges humans to adopt the kind of love Christ had displayed.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in spiritual growth?
Truth be told, the transformative journey of fear to love wouldn’t have been possible without the Holy Spirit. He acts as a guide for all humans. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit from the Holy Spirit as joy, peace, love, and patience. All these characteristics define a life that has been transformed by the never-ending and unconditional love for God. The Holy Spirit comforts and teaches humans to let go of fear and embrace love towards God.
Conclusion
The transformative journey from being scared of God to showing love and respect may seem to be difficult. But it helps an individual to embrace deep-seated respect and let go of doubts and terror. It boosts spiritual growth, ensuring it can culminate with love for God.
