Why fear God? (eternal, eternity, Commandment, God, Christians)

[WeAreAllOne]

well if God loves all us then why whould god damn some of us to Hell?

[dawny0826]

Originally Posted by WeAreAllOne

So it apears this will lead to the free will debate again.


How then, do you reason that eternal love can equal eternal damnation.

I love my daughter but when she disobeys...I punish her.

To a very similar degree, our relationship with God is like child and parent...only on a much larger (and deeper scale).

God makes his expectations pretty clear. And yes...this is where free will comes in. You either do as He instructs or not. He gives US the choice.

We choose our own fate in that respect. Doesn't change His love for us. He's already PROVEN his love for us through Jesus Christ.

[WeAreAllOne]

He's already PROVEN his love for us through Jesus Christ.

I find this interesting. Why must God prove God's Love with bloodshed and death?
I wonder is their anything your daughter could do that you would banish her from your home for, or even kill her for?

[Squirt]

Originally Posted by WeAreAllOne

Why are Christians expected to be God fearing people? Does this mean a literal fear, or meant to imply respect for God's word and commandments? Also, are Christian's actions motivated by fear, or by love, or something in between?

I've never thought of being "God-fearing" as living in fear of invoking God's wratch. Maybe some other Christians do. I see this phrase as meaning that we acknowledge His power and the fact that, when all is said and done, we are subject to His judgment. I see God as loving and merciful, and am motivated by a desire to show Him how much I also love Him.

Before you think I'm trying to back you into a corner I really have no opinion on this besides I don't like the idea of having to fear God. My reason for that is because, if God is truly all loving, and you are living your life the best you can I don't see why you have anything to fear. Or do you?

I agree. That's why I have never feared God, only respected Him.

[dawny0826]

Originally Posted by WeAreAllOne

I find this interesting. Why must God prove God's Love with bloodshed and death?
I wonder is their anything your daughter could do that you would banish her from your home for, or even kill her for?

There is great LOVE in giving YOUR life for the hurt, worry and sins of the entire world.

As for your second question...I stated that our relationship with God is similar to that of a parent and child relationship...not identical.

And again, God makes clear His expectations...death...damnation doesn't HAVE to be a reality unless it's chosen.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by WeAreAllOne

Why are Christians expected to be God fearing people? Does this mean a literal fear, or meant to imply respect for God's word and commandments? Also, are Christian's actions motivated by fear, or by love, or something in between?


Before you think I'm trying to back you into a corner I really have no opinion on this besides I don't like the idea of having to fear God. My reason for that is because, if God is truly all loving, and you are living your life the best you can I don't see why you have anything to fear. Or do you?

We should fear God, while he does love us he is also a holy God that hates sin. Jesus talked more about hell then he did heaven, and then because he loved us so much he was willingly crucified to save us from hell. He paid for our sins on the cross, this way Gods anger and justice towards sin is still dealt with yet we as sinners can go to heaven.
Theres a few ways you can think of it, God is the judge and as people guilty of breaking his laws we should fear him because he hates our sin and will punish it, God is also our saviour - he provided a way for us to escape his wrath and hell yet without letting sin go unpunished.
So at times we can be motivated by both fear and love.

Here are some verses relating to this topic.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31

by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil Proverbs 16:6

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Luke 12:4-5

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD .
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Originally Posted by WeAreAllOne

but that still misses the real question, If he loves you so much, and you are basicly a good person, what is there to fear?

From a biblical perspective this is a huge misconception. We are not basically good people - you see we tend to judge what is good just by comparing ourselves to those around us and saying see i dont sin as much as that person, but such reasoning just ignors that we do indeed sin and do things wrong in the sight of God. Thats why Jesus said "there is none good but God" and why the bible says elsewhere "all have fallen short of the glory of God".

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:8-11

[sojourner]

Originally Posted by WeAreAllOne

but that still misses the real question, If he loves you so much, and you are basicly a good person, what is there to fear?

The English word "fear" in the Bible doesn't mean "fear" in the sense of being afraid. It more closely resembles a feeling of abject awe. We are to be in awe of God. (One of my many reasons why linguistics are important in Biblical interpretation.)

As I have often contended, it is precisely because God loves us perfectly that we have nothing to fear! God loves us. We are God's children. We belong to God, and there is nothing to fear, because nothing can separate us from that perfect love.

[WeAreAllOne]

Originally Posted by dawny0826

There is great LOVE in giving YOUR life for the hurt, worry and sins of the entire world.

As for your second question...I stated that our relationship with God is similar to that of a parent and child relationship...not identical.

And again, God makes clear His expectations...death...damnation doesn't HAVE to be a reality unless it's chosen.

Yet if your child chose to walk out in traffic you would pull them back would you not? what if they did it again? Even though you told them what whould happen would you not save them?

I know I seem to be attacking you but really I don't understand this. It seems, from my understanding that you could have someone do great deeds all their life and never "sin" and this person would go to Hell. Yet a man who killed someone, then saw the error of their ways, accepted Jesus and was granted into Heven. I really don't understand this, and was one of the main resons I stoped going to church, God's love seems conditional no?

[WeAreAllOne]

Originally Posted by sojourner

The English word "fear" in the Bible doesn't mean "fear" in the sense of being afraid. It more closely resembles a feeling of abject awe. We are to be in awe of God. (One of my many reasons why linguistics are important in Biblical interpretation.)

As I have often contended, it is precisely because God loves us perfectly that we have nothing to fear! God loves us. We are God's children. We belong to God, and there is nothing to fear, because nothing can separate us from that perfect love.

Correct me if I'm wrong but you don't belive there is a Hell then do you? When I think of Hell that would be the largest possable separation from God.

[sojourner]

Originally Posted by WeAreAllOne

Correct me if I'm wrong but you don't belive there is a Hell then do you? When I think of Hell that would be the largest possable separation from God.

That's right. I don't believe that anyone, in the end, will be able to be separated from God. I think that God's love for us is so perfect and so compelling that, when we experience it fully, we will not want to resist it any longer.

In response to your previous post: God's love is not conditional. It is perfect and, therefore, unconditional. You're mistakenly basing salvation on works. salvation does not depend upon what we do -- it depends upon Jesus having gone to the cross for us. The work of salvation has already been done.