To fear or not to fear?

I have never understood why we are taught to fear God. As far as I can see fear has no place in perfect love, which is the love of God. If we are to become like him and he is without fear, why in religion are we taught to fear? Fear keeps us physically safe in the earthly realm, therefore I think must be a man made construct and as we move up the ladder of spiritual evolution it seems logical that fear would have no place . Humility, on the other hand, is essential for spiritual growth, and humbling oneself is the essence of repentance. Not relinquishing wrong deeds out of fear and guilt, but out of a desire to be at one with God, which is being at one with love where everlasting joy resides.
So if anyone is actually reading this and they have an opinion about whether fear is man made or God given, I'm interested to hear/read it.