What's the better way to live your life?

Question

Is it better to:
1) Live in constant fear of God, making sure you do what he wants, and never doing anything wrong. Working all the time to stop yourself going to hell.

OR 2) To live with no fear of what might happen as you only live once and its best to just have a good time, without worrying about what might happen if something which there is no evidence for (Hell) exists.

With number 2 I don't mean disobey basic laws. Use your common sense but don't live in fear

Answer 1

2

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Well, I can say that I don't live in fear. I am not a Christian because I fear of going to hell. That's the honest truth. I actually started going back to church (and actually WORSHIPPING rather than going through the motions "because it's the right thing to do") about 9 months ago. I'm a very cynical person. Frankly, I find that living my life in the "guardrails" has served ME quite well. It's made me happier, made my family happier and I run this race with joy. That might sound selfish, but quite honestly, that was my first "real" experience...I have since grown in my own personal daily walk.

I don't have all the answers and frankly, still have a lot of questions that you probably ask. Like the one here. I will say that my children enjoy their life immensely. They are loved, cherished and you know, we have a blast. But I have rules for them. They aren't meant to take AWAY from their life, but to let them live their life to the fullest in the best possible way. There are times they disobey me and live life outside the "guardrails" that I provide. And 9 times out of 10, they get hurt or something bad happens. And for that, they are punished. They either have to pay me for the damage caused or my time to clean things up. Or they lose something for a while. My house will always be open to them, but I can't FORCE them to always live the way I've shown them. And they could reject me.

In that way, I think of God as OUR Father.

I don't "work all the time" to stop myself from going to hell. Honestly, hell doesn't cross my mind 99.9% of the time. I'm too busy enjoying the life worth living. I don't teach my kids to not hit each other because I don't want them going to hell. I teach them NOT to hit because it damages both the hitter and the hittee. Just life lessons.

Hope you have a great day. I'm off to play City of Heroes!

Answer 4

2) To live with no fear of what might happen as you only live once and its best to just have a good time, without worrying about what might happen if something which there is no evidence for (Hell) exists.

and 3) find another God or Goddess one that doesnt act like a d!ck

Answer 5

Definitely 2

Answer 6

I started out with life number 2 and was miserable and unhappy, going nowhere.
A little at a time, I started to talk to God, Thank God for the little things he gave me everyday, started praying for people, then the Bible got my attention. I started reading and actually found out I liked it and its not what people think it is. They fear what they do not know and do not seek the knowledge they need. Anyway, basically the Bible just states the basics in life, love your fellow man, love God with all your heart, walk in his ways, teach your children, and respect each other.
I prefer life number 1. At least you put them in the correct sequence.

Answer 7

I'm a Christian and you have got God wrong! The 'fear' of God is an awesome respect for the being who created me, has proved his love for me by sending Jesus to die on the cross, and who is my rock and my guide. It's impossible to never do anything wrong which is why christianity is a faith of GRACE, which means that our sins are forgiven once for all time, and our salvation, once given, cannot be taken away. Anyone who tries to 'earn' God's love has not accepted this gift of forgiveness in their hearts or grasped the meaning of grace. Those who believe in good works getting you to heaven are still living under law. Christians do 'good works' in response to the love we have got from Jesus, not in order to earn it.

Answer 8

I'd say neither.

Live your life the way you think is good. Weather you believe in God is beside the point.

Forget fearing God. The bible says we all know right from wrong? Then whatever we do.. if we follow our heart we should be OK at any rate right?

Answer 9

The fear of God should be an awesome or reverant fear, not a fear in which we are afraid of Him. The way to God is through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not about how good we can be but by accepting the gift of salvation which he freely offers us. The Bible says that 'by grace (God's unmerited favour) are we saved through faith, not of works lest any man should boast. You see, Jesus has paid the penalty of your sin and mine by his death on the cross. By asking Him to forgive your sin, and giving control of your life over to Him - He will then guide us and lead us and even through the most difficult sufferings, He will help us overcome.

Answer 10

i'm an atheist, so i obviously don't live in fear of God... however, i DO do what is right... not because i want to be rewarded after death (as i believe in no after life), but because if everyone does their part to do the right thing, the world will be a better place for everyone while we are on earth...