We were asked the question “How do you know you are doing what you are doing for God or for fear of Hell?” This is a good question. It stems from the scare people into heaven tactic that was used to try to get people to do right. The problem with that tactic is that when the fear wore off then people where back doing the same things as before, because they did not have a relationship with God.
The question though asks how do you know if it is because of fear or of love of God. It would depend on what ones relationship is with God, and how they view God. If one has a loving relationship, and see Him as a God that loves you, and wants what is best for you then you will have a tendency to do things for Him out of love. However, if ones relationship is based on an obligation not on love, and your view Him more like Zeus then you would lean towards doing things out of fear that He is going to condemn you. From the time that Adam and Eve sinned all the way to today and will continue. God has been trying to reconcile people back to Him. He wants us to trust Him, to love Him, not because we have to, but because He first loved us.
In order to answer this question individuals would have to look into themselves and see how they view God. Loving Father or Zeus ready to strike them down.
Here is something for thought: I do not do things for my wife because I fear she is going to leave me, I do them because I love her.
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When I was a small child I wanted to be good and do the right things so I wouldn’t go to hell. And our pastor was always preaching Hell to us from the pulpit with a lot of yelling and a lot of beating of his fist on the pulpit. So yes, I was scared.
But, now many years later I have a real relationship with our Father in heaven and I know how much he loves me,and I want to please him because I love him.
So, these days I live my life to please him. I know my father in heaven may punish me if I deserve it, only to get me back on the right track, but only as a loving father would. There is always that unconditional LOVE from my father in heaven, my savior. Praise the Lord for his mercy and love.
Amen, I am so thankful for His mercy, love and above all grace. It is so nice to view God, as a God of love.