Why are Abrahamic believers taught to fear God?

[Madhuri]

The same reason I feared my Dad when I was a boy and did something wrong, he had the power to discipline me. And we are taught that God has the power to send us to hell. I am so glad I was scared into Heaven.

So fear is the only reason you have faith in Jesus? Or that you 'accept' Him? Is that what you are saying?

 

[Man of Faith]

So fear is the only reason you have faith in Jesus? Or that you 'accept' Him? Is that what you are saying?

Let's say you were in the ocean drowning and someone throws you a life vest, would you grab it? Same way I was afraid of hell, I grabbed onto the faith in Jesus that was thrown to me.

 

[Madhuri]

Let's say you were in the ocean drowning and someone throws you a life vest, would you grab it? Same way I was afraid of hell, I grabbed onto the faith in Jesus that was thrown to me.

Yeh...
I'm not sure that this is the best example. For instance, if someone throws you a life vest, they are saving your life selflessly. I feel very grateful to this person and perhaps form a bond with them. My feelings toward them are real, genuine. If someone says, on the other hand 'do this or I'd torture you for eternity' I do what is said because I'm afraid for myself not because I have any special loving regard for the bully. I'm acting on a dangerous threat, not anything honourable or loving. There's a huge difference.