Most times i wonder which is it that influences the other, is it the love of God that generates fear of hell or fear of hell that inspires love for God. Which ever the case may be the truth is hellfire is real.
The fear of hell isn't bad actually it helps keep our conscience in check but it can't replace or be confused with love of God. The bible says fear him who can cause the body and soul to rot in hell. This brings in a 3rd; which is the fear of God, does it influence the love of God and fear of hell also or is it the other way round.
FEAR AND LOVE OF GOD
My Dad was very strict and always gives grand rules that can't be broken or negotiated but i love him, he will punish whoever breaks any rule, when i was little i was scared of him because i know i will get beaten if i break any of the rules but as i grew he stopped punishing me but will just scold me and still i was scared of him as always, i won't ever wanna get him angry with me so i did everything possible to please him atleast not to be scolded. Then i got more matured and he stopped everything both the punishment and scolding he just let me live my life, i was still scared of him but in a different way, i wasn't scared he will punish or scold me i was just scared of him not been happy with me i wanted him to be happy with me, proud of me so i did everything possible not to displease him. Then i Realised i don't mind if anyone else is angry at me as much as my Dad because of the Love i had for him. The fear helped to put me in check not to do what will make him angry. Thats the kind of fear we should have for God the fear that is born out of Love for him, the fear of making him angry not minding how others feel as much as he feels. This fear will not wax cold this fear will grow in us and stick in our hearts. This fear works together with Love of God. You can't truly Love God unless you have this kind of Fear of him.
FEAR OF HELL
Unlike the fear that comes with true Love of God.
This fear is totally different from that, it comes as a result of avoiding the punishment not for the Love of God but for mere fear of punishment. This fear unlike the fear of God will seize to exist the very moment the punishment is abolished. This fear is hypocritical, it will wax cold it will not help us grow into loving God because we are not sorry for doing wrong we are only sorry because we don't want to get punished. Thats not the kind of fear God wants in us. He wants us to do whats right always because doing right pleases God and also makes the world a better place, not just because we are scared of hell.
WHAT I THINK IS BEST
i think we should channel that energy from fear of hell to fear of God which will help us build a bond of Love with him, because seriously fear of hell doesn't last long it stays in us only when we feel guilty and leave us when we find refuge. We should follow this few steps in channelling our fear;
1st step; Fear of God as a result of fear of hell
2nd step; Fear of God because we want to do right always to please God
3rd step; Fear of God because we want to please him more than anything else
This is the way our fear should grow and transform into a solid relationship with God.
Thank you for reading.
God bless you.
