“The fear of losing God keeps us close to him. The fear of falling under his judgment rather than being welcomed into his presence as his children keeps us persevering. Of course, such a fear of God, grounded in his grace, makes sense only to those in whom he already dwells, over whom Christ already reigns, and among whom the light of divine righteousness is already shining. Only believers fear God truly, since only those who have already begun to enjoy his presence can taste the horror of what it would be like to be without it. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, just as it is the beginning of the passion for holiness among God’s people. Those who fear his judgment because they love his presence put away the filth of God-compromising idolatry and wickedness from their lives, both individually and corporately. May God grant us a fresh glimpse of his glory and a renewed vision of the splendor of his promises, that we may perfect our holiness by fearing him alone.” (Hafemann, Scott J. 2 Corinthians. The NIV Application Commentary, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2000, 304.)