Does God come to us in fear or love? Both, at my salvation experience I had never read the bible and God came to me in intense love but He also told me that in my present condition I was headed for hell, and He made it plain that Hell was one horrible place. If it is really God speaking to you He will present both sides, the love of God, and the fear of hell.
Took the words right out of my mouth! I do have to agree with you, this time!
Certainly, the gospel is only one coin. But that coin has two sides, equally valid, equally important.
"God is love" 1 John 4:8, 16
But God is also holy! And since we are not holy yet, we do need to tremble in fear. Repentance means understanding we are sinners, and not holy. So, we do need to fear God, and yes, in the New Testament!
"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:31
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt 10:28
Our sanctification, in fact, requires that we have a fear of God.
"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." 2 Cor. 7:1
As for sinners, the Bible defines them, in Paul's great treatise on theology as:
"There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:18
It seems people are trying to create a dichotomy here, when there is none! We do need to fear God, even as we walk in his love!