What do we fear? Spiders? Public speaking? Punishment? Punishment by whom? Parents? Law enforcement? God? Preachers have used and in some cases still use divine punishment as currency to push people into repentance; however, people who are saved often fear divine punishment unnecessarily. 

Minister Aaron Hill walks listeners through three verses in 1 John 4 that show that those who have been saved have no reason to be terrified of God's judgment. John tells us that "perfect love casts out fear." John is clear earlier in his letter that saved people still sin. When he calls us perfect, he does not mean flawless. Since God's love is perfected in us, we can have confidence in our salvation. If we are walking in God's love, fear of punishment has no place. God's love is unconditional and transformational. It can change us!