fear

Should we close the Church for the Coronavirus?

February 8, 2020 // 16 Comments

“Please don’t come to Mongolia.” I have been asked to visit many countries, but Mongolia’s the only place I’ve been asked to avoid. In 2003 I was heading to Ulaanbaatar for a church conference. I was packed, I had my visa, but at the last minute the organizers asked me to stay home. Why? Because I was [...]

The Terror of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:11)

May 19, 2016 // 40 Comments

Many people picture God as a scary bookkeeper recording everything they say and do. They fear that on Judgment Day he’ll shame them by playing the dirty tapes of their secret lives. As we saw in a recent article on the Bema Seat, this caricature is far removed from reality. God is not counting our sins against [...]

Work out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling

October 18, 2010 // 44 Comments

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling… (Philippians 2:12) What does it mean to work out your salvation with fear and trembling? Some say salvation is something to work for, that we must [...]