"The idea of going through life fearing both God and the consequences of sin seems unattractive in our age where people are so devoted to good feelings. Fear is considered a bad feeling, and therefore people think it is wrong....
Some might say that temporary joy through sin is better than a life of fear and trembling. I respond that this fear and trembling is the gateway to lasting and truly satisfying joy. When we fear the holiness of God and the consequences of sin, we avoid sin. But we do not turn from sin into a vacuum; we embrace life to the full (John10:10. We do not spend the rest of our days wishing that we could have had the experience of the sin we avoided. We are glad that we escaped that enslavement and are now "free indeed" (John 8:34-36). We are glad that God freed us to enjoy Him, for He is not only holy, He is also loving. The Bible says that God delights in us (Ps. 147:11) and that we delight in Him (Psalm 43:4). When we run away from sin, we run into the arms of one whom we love and delight in and who loves us and delights to give us joy. We say with David, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." (Psalm 16:11).
Thus, the fear of displeasing GOd and of the consequences of sin does not take away the enjoyment of life. It is rather the gateway to true enjoyment."
~Ajith Fernando. Acts. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998. Pages 206-207
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