Contradictory? In Isolation-Yes, In Total-No

One of the things we hear about are all of the contradictory things in the Bible.  And taken in isolation the criticism could appear to be justified.

But as I have written many times, the Bible is a book of balance and has to be taken in it's entirety and in context.  Here is an example.  Compare these two Scriptures.

2 Timothy 1:7(NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Vs.

1 Peter 1:17-18(NKJV)

And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 

Now doesn't that seem a bit contradictory?  We have Timothy saying God gave you a spirit of power, stop living in fear.  We have Peter saying you should live your entire life here in fear. 

This is where context comes in.  They were talking about two different things in my opinion.  Timothy was saying stop being a spectator, take charge of your life.  Peter was saying "fear God" as in obey and strive to do all you can to serve Him while here on earth.

Both make sense in my opinion when taken in context.