just a friendly debate-
i believe that there is more power in LOVE verses fear, and that's how i judge things. if i realize that i'm doing something motivated out of fear, that's how i know i am on the wrong track. fear is the greatest motivator, especially if you want to get people to do or behave like you want them to.
and yes, this is a follow up to the rapture question. is fear is the basis for your believing? I believe if anyone were truly in touch with God, or truly "excepted Jesus in your heart" (which could be a metaphor for achieveing Christ Consciousness) there would be no fear at all, and you would eminate peace and joy.
2006-12-02 03:49:57 · 11 answers · asked by zentrinity 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
When doubt or fear arrives in my mailbox, I do not recycle them, but throw them away, but peace and joy do come inside with me.
2006-12-02 04:40:26 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's like if you were in the middle of the ocean and someone from a ship lowered a ladder to you so you could get out of the ocean and onto the ship, and someone else swims up to you and says, "So, are you getting on that ship out of fear or out of trust?" It's not important! The ladder has been lowered and I'm climbing on! The Bible says that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." It also says that, "Perfect love casts out all fear." If we think that it's wrong for us to reach for that ladder because of abstract rationalizations about fear and love, we are still in deep water. So we recognize that the physical universe holds no real hope, we reach out to God and are united to Him. Then our hope is in the creator of the universe and not in our own finite deductions based on what we think ought to be. Lots of people seem to radiate peace and joy, but then you find out they were a serial killer called BTK or a fake called the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. I bet you'd be fun to have conversations with!
2006-12-02 12:11:29 · answer #2 · answered by Karen 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I did not become a Christian out of fear. I became a Christian by grace through faith. I have never been fearful. My conversion was because God made me curious. I read the 22nd Psalm and saw the depiction of Jesus on the cross, written before crucifixion was invented and before Jesus' birth. It compelled me to start questioning if there was a Creator - He brought me to Himself, through love. I love God and want to be with Him forever.
2006-12-02 11:57:27 · answer #3 · answered by padwinlearner 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I fear God for He is a righteouss, holy being. I did not ask Jesus into my heart out of fear. People uses fear to explain why Christians ask Jesus into their life, but I want a better life so I chose Him. Why wait till you get to heaven to experience the love of God. You can do it now.
2006-12-02 11:54:10 · answer #4 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well,I do fear God(in some ways)but not as you see it.Its like putting your hand over a flame,you know the consequence is getting burned.You have the choice.Like the innocent pay for more in this world then the wicked,someone will pay from a circumstance of actions,fear is not the only manipulator in life,lots of disastrous things have been done in the name of God,(i.e. good intentions pave the road to hell)..And as far as love,well love can be tough,not just sweet,turning your back on the ones you love can have positive effects sometimes(alcohol and drug intervention,,jail etc)to make them come around(and thats a sort of manipulation also.I base my faith mostly in the suffering,offering them up to God for those who wont or cannot(like prayer) Excepting Jesus in your heart is one thing,doing something with it is another(i.e. actions speak louder than words) well,thats my take on it
2006-12-02 12:06:07 · answer #5 · answered by stygianwolfe 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No...my faith is not based on a fear of going to hell. If that's all I had to go on, then I probably wouldn't be a Christian. I came to Christ 'cos the preacher said God had a plan for me and I believed him. Now, after all that happened in my life there is no doubt.
2006-12-02 11:55:37 · answer #6 · answered by Krys Tamar 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
God's enemies better fear Him.
Christians revere Him.
The word 'fear" in both Hebrew and Greek also means "revere".
2006-12-02 11:53:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think it's a fair estimate to say, that 90% of the DENIAL of the "unbelievers",
is based on the same FEAR, as 90% of the ACCEPTENCE of the "believers".
PUT THAT ON YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT!
2006-12-02 11:56:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it's hope...... hope to be in heaven with God one day. If it was fear we wouldn't have nobody blowing things up, killing each other, doing drugs,that's not being fearful that's being weak.
2006-12-02 11:55:26 · answer #9 · answered by SHEILA N 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no as I love and believe in GOD as my Savior, Protector, Friend. HE will protect me from many dangers and fears.
2006-12-02 12:26:52 · answer #10 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋