When Fear and Love are Mixed
The fearsomeness of God is often shunned to focus on His love. Many say we are not to fear Him, that His grace and mercy should overcome our fear. Yet fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, understanding and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). We cannot rightly know or understand the love, mercy or grace of God except when we fear Him properly. Only when we realize how fearsome He is are we prepared to understand the incredible riches of His love toward us.
Wisdom, while preparing a feast of understanding, mixed wine for the simple to drink and learn the way of God (Proverbs 9:1-6). At that time, wine would be mixed with spices in order to improve its flavor and strengthen its affects. Many spices eaten alone are unpleasant, yet when mixed they improve the flavor of the mixture.
The fear of God is a spice that when mixed with the wine of His love improves its flavor and strengthens its affects. Like many spices, the fear of God alone is a most unpleasant experience. Although, when mixed with God’s love, the sweetness of that love is greatly enhanced. Without a proper fear of God, we can’t even begin to understand the outrageous wonder of His love.
The fear of God is a versatile spice that complements our knowledge of God in every way. For instance, when mixed with His mercy we begin to comprehend the wrath we have been spared. When mixed with His grace, the greatness of that grace is perceived, for it is grace far greater than our sin and our shame.
