The promise of an endless life in glory in the Kingdom of God as the Father's spirit-composed children and Jesus Christ's brothers and companions is profoundly appealing. Yet, history and personal experiences demonstrate that additional stimulation is often necessary to sustain our pursuit. Fear can be an extremely effective motivator, ranging from mild respect to a deep, reverential awe, and even to sheer terror that prompts immediate action. However, fear can also paralyze, hindering response, especially since God's presence is not physically visible, which may delay our sense of urgency. Without the proper fear of God, apathy and procrastination can erode our relationship with Him. This fear must carry enough edge to motivate correct action without causing inaction, and it grows with increasing true knowledge of Him. Our apprehension of making sacrifices to submit to God's will can sometimes stop us, motivating us to draw back from obedience due to fearing the wrong thing. At times, the degree of fear needed approaches sheer terror to convince us, though an abiding reverential awe is typically necessary. This fear develops from an initial fright and self-preservation into a deep, loving respect for Him and a desire to preserve and grow the relationship. It eventually leads us to fear disappointing Him, significantly motivating both the overall direction and daily details of our lives. Human tendencies to follow the crowd can work against us as Christians, requiring a strong willingness not to conform to worldly ways. This reveals who we truly fear. A sense of shame or family fear, akin to not wanting to disappoint a loved one, mirrors the biblical fear of God, reflecting a healthy respect rather than terror. In marriage, couples who truly love each other are fearful of damaging their bond, motivating careful communication and conduct. Similarly, in our relationship with God, a deep respect energizes us to please and glorify Him, driving us to protect the relationship and avoid causing Him grief. The fear of God is not innate but must be learned, arising and growing from a relationship with Him initiated by His calling. As we submit and conform to His way of life, this fear evolves from self-concern to a zealous desire to preserve and glorify His name within an intimate bond. This respect motivates us to give Him the best quality in all we do, guiding how we use our time and resources. As Christians in the courtship period preceding marriage to our Savior, access to and fellowship with Him, coupled with submission, feeds a growing respect that motivates us to reciprocate His love and produce the fruit of God's Spirit. The fear of God brings invaluable promises of intimate friendship, comfort, protection, and deliverance in times of trouble. God opens His mind to those who fear Him, offering careful instruction in His way and will. His faithful presence watches over His loved ones, sparing them from being overwhelmed. Our security lies in God, not in worldly power, and this respect greatly aids our progress in preparing for His Kingdom, as He deserves our eager respect for His strong, pure, and faithful qualities demonstrated throughout history and revealed personally to us.

Endurance is a vital theme, often discussed among us. The pressing question is whether we can withstand what lies ahead. The answer is clear: indeed, we can. Though it may not be pleasant, God assures us of our capacity to endure. Our greatest test is to remain steadfast in the teachings we have received, to make decisions rooted in godly principles, and to resist the temptation to falter. Hope is a powerful motivator. It is the expectation of God's promises that sustains us, much like it did for those who faced imprisonment for their belief in His assurances. This hope inspires us to look forward to release and fulfillment of what God has pledged. Faith is another cornerstone for standing firm. It involves not only believing in the teachings we have been given but also proving and studying them to ensure our foundation is solid. Beyond mere knowledge, faith demands action through obedience to what we have confirmed as true. We live by every command, teaching, example, and promise of God, striving to forgive others, love our enemies, be exemplary in our roles, and resist the corrupting influences of the world. In essence, we aim to imitate God by producing the good works He desires through active faith. Vision provides a forward-looking drive. God grants us visions of future outcomes, both for physical Israel and for ourselves. This vision, rooted in mental perception and revelation, propels us to move forward with anticipation rather than despair over trials. Our response should be one of awe and determination to work diligently toward the incredible future awaiting us. The vision for the world includes justice throughout the land, peace among all creation, and freedom from fear—a remarkable civilization to come. For us personally, we are called children of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, with the promise that current sufferings pale in comparison to the glory ahead. This vision of an indescribable future fuels our perseverance. Hope, faith, and vision together equip us to resist the challenges of our environment, much like prisoners in harsh conditions who maintained their will through imaginative acts and mutual support. We must stay connected with those of like mind, drawing together as one, for it is exceedingly important. God assures us that He will never forsake us, remaining with us through all circumstances. His constant presence and awareness of our struggles reinforce our resolve to stand loyal and at peace, looking to the example of Jesus Christ, the source and completer of our faith. We are reminded of our future, standing firm in the vision of what is to come, never losing sight of it and never giving up.

Fear serves as a powerful motivator, capable of driving us into paralyzing terror or spurring us into purposeful action for or against a cause or enemy. It can manifest as sheer terror or as a deep, reverential awe of God, producing a strong desire to please Him. This motivation ranges from a instinct for self-preservation to a complete willingness to sacrifice everything in service to our Beloved. The fear of God, combined with other motivational elements, compels us to resist conformity to the world's ways, fostering continued growth in our spiritual journey. Vision and foresight also play critical roles in motivation. Vision, whether literal or a mental apprehension of spiritual truths, motivates action by providing a clear picture of what lies ahead. Examples from God's Word show individuals moved to act in response to divine guidance, driven by a vivid understanding of future promises or consequences. This vision, often revealed through the Spirit, accumulates gradually through study, comparison, analysis, and application of what we learn. It grants us discernment to make right choices in spiritual matters, a skill that must be developed and nurtured over time. Faith anchors these motivational elements, providing the spiritual foundation for vision and action. It operates within the mind, enabling understanding of past events and future promises, giving conviction through evidence of things not seen. Faith, coupled with godly fear, motivates preparation and endurance, as seen in those who acted on divine warnings or promises, driven by a mental picture of impending crises or eternal rewards. God's Spirit reveals these insights, predisposing us to make wise choices and offering the foresight to see the best path from His perspective.

Somehow, we must find the motivation needed to drive ourselves on to live by faith, or all the true knowledge we possess will dissipate and be of no value. In any endeavor, it is only those who are motivated to use the laws of success who will find growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The elements of motivation are essential if growth is to take place, and they overlap, interlock, and depend upon one another. The first and most obvious element of motivation is that we must fear God. Fear, as shown in various scriptures and life experiences, is a very effective motivator, ranging from mild respect to a deep, abiding, reverential awe, and even to sheer terror that prompts immediate action. Without the fear of the Lord, we will not produce the right kind of wisdom or knowledge, as it is the beginning of wisdom and wisdom itself. Fear can be a two-edged sword, either paralyzing us into inaction or motivating us to resolutely face and overcome what produces it. In relation to God, a subtle problem arises because we cannot literally see Him, making the fear of Him less immediate compared to visible threats. If we do not fear God, the relationship with Him will die slowly, as our fear lacks the edge to motivate us in the right direction, leading to procrastination. The fear of God is deeply tied to sacrifice, as growth often requires giving up things close to us, and many fear the cost more than they fear God, causing further delay in action. Over the course of life, God desires to develop in us a continuing, reverential awe of Him rather than sheer terror. The fear of God grows as the relationship with Him develops, beginning with His calling, and it arises from submitting to His desires and conforming to His way of life. This process fosters a desire to please Him, to avoid disappointing Him, and to protect the relationship, moving from self-concern for preservation to awe of His great goodness and character. This growing respect, combined with access to God and fellowship with Him, feeds a motivation to reciprocate His love, producing fruit and growth in His way. The rewards of fearing Him are significant, as He offers protection and unique gifts, increasing our motivation to give ourselves in service to Him and others when opportunities arise. This element of fear needs to be strengthened within the relationship by yielding to whatever He commands to conform to His way.