When we trusted in Christ Jesus as Saviour and Lord, something remarkable happened.  God sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts (Acts 15:8)!  His holy presence is so different to the enslaving control of sin.  All graceless religion enslaves its followers.  To be accepted, adherents must change their behaviour or suffer punishment.  Their pious actions may help to bind them to a committed community who are afraid of sanctions if they step out of line, but cannot bind them to God who looks for a reborn heart (1 Samuel 16:7; John 3:3).  Religion, without being born again, is a weighty and inescapable burden.  Adherents feel pressurised to work hard to be better people or try to pay off the guilt of their own sin: but this will always induce fear in those who are conscientious.  

Instead, the Holy Spirit enables us to be born again, this time into God’s family (Titus 3:5). He warmly assures us that we are now fully accepted as members of God's family.  We are the children of a loving heavenly Father.  He desires to nurture our hearts to love Him more, and not simply control our behaviour.  Where discipline is needed, He is kind; and where the circumstances are hostile, He is compassionate.  

So, the Holy Spirit assures us that there is no need to be afraid because we have been born again as children of God who totally loves us.  The Holy Spirit does not threaten the believer who has confessed all their sins and accepted God's pardon.  He will never accuse us again of sins which have been forgiven through Christ’s atoning sacrifice for us on the cross (Romans 8:1).  Therefore, no punishment looms over our heads causing us to fear (Romans 8:33).

But when we receive the grace of Christ and understand that our condemnation has been taken by Him, we are free to receive the love of God.  1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."  So do not listen to Satan's lies; he is only trying to frighten you.  Welcome God's work in your heart which enables you to desire what pleases Him and to do it (Philippians 2:13), and rejoice as you receive the love of Father God today.