Tension between Peace and Fear in Christian Life
Christian life involves a dynamic tension between the pursuit of peace and the experience of fear. While believers are called to live in peace, fear can arise from various sources, including the prospect of divine judgment and the challenges of earthly existence.
The concept of peace in Christian thought is multifaceted. God is identified as the "author of peace" [6], and Christ is called the "Prince of Peace" [11]. Jesus himself bequeathed his peace to his followers, a peace distinct from what the world offers, urging them not to let their hearts be troubled or fearful [3]. This peace is a fruit of righteousness [6] and is associated with heavenly wisdom [6]. It is also a bond of union within the church [6]. The apostle Paul frequently prayed for the "God of peace" to be with believers, emphasizing the importance of peace in resolving conflicts within the community [8].
However, fear is also a recognized aspect of human experience, even for believers. The Bible acknowledges "a time of war, and a time of peace" [2]. Fear can stem from the consciousness of guilt and the anticipation of deserved punishment [7, 10]. The design of Christ's propitiatory death was to deliver humanity from this bondage of fear [7]. Perfect love, as it matures, is understood to cast out fear, providing bold confidence rather than torment [7, 10]. This confidence is rooted in the security of a relationship with God through Christ, which promises that no power can separate believers from God's love [9].
Despite the call to peace and the promise of deliverance from fear, the Christian life is not without its struggles. Strife, for instance, is identified as a "work of the flesh" and an evidence of a carnal spirit, often incited by hatred, pride, and anger [1]. Anger itself is forbidden and characterized as a trait of fools, leading to contention and bringing its own punishment [5]. Believers are exhorted to be "ruled by one another in the fear of Christ" [4], which suggests a reverential awe rather than a tormenting dread. This "fear of Christ" can be understood as a respectful submission to his authority and teachings [4].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 3:8 (YLT) — A time to love, And a time to hate. A time of war, And a time of peace.”
- John “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. -- John 14:27”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:21 (BBE) — Letting yourselves be ruled by one another in the fear of Christ.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger — Forbidden -- Ec 7:9; Mt 5:22; Ro 12:19. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. A characteristic of fools -- Pr 12:16; 14:29; 27:3; Ec 7:9. Connected with Pride. -- Pr 21:24. Cruelty. -- Ge 49:7; Pr 27:3,4. Clamour and evil-speaking. -- Eph 4:31. Malice and blasphemy. -- Col 3:8. Strife and contention. -- Pr 21:19; 29:22; 30:33. Brings its own punishment -- Job 5:2; Pr 19:19; 25:28. Grievous words stir up -- Jdj 12:4; 2Sa 19:43; Pr 15:1. Should not betray us into sin -- Ps 37:8; Eph 4:26. In prayer be free from -- 1Ti 2:8. May be averted by wisdom -- Pr 29:8. Meeknes”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Peace — God is the author of -- Ps 147:14; Isa 45:7; 1Co 14:33. Results from Heavenly wisdom. -- Jas 3:17. The government of Christ. -- Isa 2:4. Praying for rulers. -- 1Ti 2:2. Seeking the peace of those with whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Necessary to the enjoyment of life -- Ps 34:12,14; 1Pe 3:10,11. God bestows upon those who Obey him. -- Le 26:6. Please him. -- Ps 16:7. Endure his chastisements. -- Job 5:17,23,24. Is a bond of union -- Eph 4:3. The fruit of righteousness should be sown in -- Jas 3:18. The church shall enjoy -- Ps 125:5; 128:6; Isa 2:4; Ho 2:18. Sain”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 4:18: Fear has no place in love. Bold confidence (Jo1 4:17), based on love, cannot coexist with fear. Love, which, when perfected, gives bold confidence, casts out fear (compare Heb 2:14-15). The design of Christ's propitiatory death was to deliver from this bondage of fear. but--"nay" [ALFORD]. fear hath torment--Greek, "punishment." Fear is always revolving in the mind the punishment deserved [ESTIUS]. Fear, by anticipating punishment (through consciousness of deserving it), has it even now, that is, the foretaste of it. Perfect love is incompatible wi”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 15:33: The God of peace be with you - The whole object of the epistle is to establish peace between the believing Jews and Gentiles, and to show them their mutual obligations, and the infinite mercy of God to both; and now he concludes with praying that the God of peace - he from whom it comes, and by whom it is preserved - may be for ever with them. The word Amen, at the end, does not appear to have been written by the apostle: it is wanting in some of the most ancient MSS. 1. In the preceding chapters the apostle enjoins a very hard, but a very important and necessary, ”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 5:1: 5:1–8:39 Paul now turns from the Good News about how people enter a relationship with God to the security of that relationship. Christians have a strong and unassailable promise because of God’s work in Christ, God’s love for them, and the power of the Holy Spirit. This theme frames the teaching of these chapters (5:1-11; 8:18-39) as Paul grounds that promise in the transfer of believers from the realm of Adam to the realm of Christ (5:12-21). No power—whether sin (ch 6), the law (ch 7), or death (8:1-13)—“will ever be able to separate us from the love of God” (8:3”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 4:18: 4:18 perfect love expels all fear: As we live with Christ and grow more mature and complete in God’s love, we have confidence in facing the day of judgment, which will be terrifying for those who don’t know God (Acts 24:25; Rom 2:16). • Based on consciousness of guilt, fear anticipates a deserved punishment, producing dread that is itself a foretaste of that punishment. Christ died to set us free from this dread (Heb 2:14-15).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 15.20: We ought, therefore, to elevate our minds to that blessed and everlasting life, which as yet we see not , but which we possess by hope and faith . ( Romans 8:25 .) The Prince of Peace. This is the last title, and the Prophet declares by it that the coming of Christ will be the cause of full and perfect happiness, or, at least, of calm and blessed safety. In the Hebrew language peace often signifies prosperity , for of all blessings not one is better or more desirable than peace . The general meaning is, that all who submit to the dominion of”