Christ took away any reason for that fear. It's the major point of the crucifixion. We believe in Christ which allows us to forget the fear and focus on living lives that make a difference in this world. We're left to bring heaven hear and represent God. So why argue that we are only followers because of fear? It's the opposite of the actual truth.
2006-08-24 07:51:54 · 13 answers · asked by luvwinz 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus paid for our sins, so we don't have to fear Hell.
2006-08-24 07:52:22 · update #1
I'm not looking for why we follow HIm. I know that. I'm trying to dispell a misconception.
2006-08-24 07:59:20 · update #2
I think people that make the claim that Christians became Christians only by a fear of going to hell is rediculous. I became Christian because I realized that all wrongs were an offense to God. And that I am a fatally flawed human being. And it was my wrongs that separated me from God spiritually. But, God provided a way to restore the relationship between Him and myself though his son Jesus. And all I had to do was put my faith and trust in him. That is why I became Christian, not out of fear. I became Christian because I took responsibility for my actions and didn't blame others for them. But if someone needs to have some fear put into them to believe, I'm ok with that too. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom", the Bible says. And frankly, I think most of us need a little more fear of Him, but live in the truth.
2006-08-24 08:03:04 · answer #1 · answered by blizgamer333 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fear of Hell or other retribution, exactly right. Have you ever heard the phrase, "There but for the Grace of God go I"? What do you think that's based on? Christ in no way took away fear, he provided an example showing us that we have to sacrifice the things of this world to gain spiritually. Fear of God is no worse than fear of prison, fear of getting a speeding ticket, fear of being audited by the IRS. Using the carrot and the stick is much more effective than using either one alone. Perhaps there are people who love God and are so surrendered to God's Will that they behave purely out of love and surrender, but I don't know any.
2006-08-24 15:05:36 · answer #2 · answered by mscir 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THERE IS NO HELL!!!
Read the Bible.
There is no mentioning of hell as a place.
It is used as a pronoun but not as a noun!
Sheol is the place where people's spirits go when they die.
That is a place in the Bible.
Believers live in one part, non-beleivers in another.
They wait until the end times.
When we are all judged at the end!
Look in Revelation. It says EVERYONE is judged at the end!
And EVERYONE gets a second chance to believe after they are stuck in Sheol!
Kinda ruins the whole condeming thing doesn't it??
2006-08-24 15:01:45 · answer #3 · answered by the nothing 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it comes out of cultural context. Have you ever read the classic Jonathan Edwards sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"? Even if hell isn't something that Christians should be scared of, it has traditionally been used for those purposes. There are reasons that "fire and brimstone" is a common expression.
2006-08-24 14:56:19 · answer #4 · answered by Drew 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I firmly believe that people have natural tendencies toward fear or towards feeling pretty good about everything else.
Many of them use rationalizations to explain their actions, and many times they call sins whatever it is that they fear or are not used to. Then, they use books written about Jesus -- who did not write 1 line of text in his entire life -- to make others wrong.
Life is a lot more morally complicated than going to Hell or not. Examine your actions or your lack of action towards everyone in your vicinity, beginning with your family, then make your moral choice. Going or not going to Hell, seems such a simple, yet cruel answer for a God who loves us.
Let your moral actions guide you, the rest will take care of itself.
2006-08-24 15:06:14 · answer #5 · answered by pacoargent 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you generalising? I'm a Christian and I'm good not because I fear going to Hell but what we are commanded to do by Jesus. This is really old thinking and I have not met anyone at church like this.
2006-08-24 14:56:50 · answer #6 · answered by JasonLee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We may not have to fear Hell in the truest sense of the word, but we do have to be WARY of it! Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, Simon, the Devil desireth to have you that he may sift you as wheat". It didn't matter that Peter was a good Christian man, Jesus was trying to make it clear that Satan would never give up trying to get Peter to turn back to a life of sin.
2006-08-24 15:07:00 · answer #7 · answered by bigvol662004 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics don't believe that we are automatically going to heaven no matter what we do in life.
Jesus gave us the gift of redemption, not a free ticket to heaven.
We should follow his ways out of Love of God, not fear of hell though!
Peace!
2006-08-24 15:07:50 · answer #8 · answered by C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they aren't good because they fear Hell. They are good because they want to see their Makers face, and to have eternal life.
2006-08-24 14:55:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians are good because that is what Jesus preached. Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbors. That was His teaching...NOT 'be afraid, be very afraid'!!
2006-08-24 15:01:39 · answer #10 · answered by Oblivia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋