Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
bearbear,
I don't know of any church that teaches that morality has been abolished, or that we don't need to behave morally. Which church teaches that?
As to your last point. I see some indication that those who believe that salvation is totally by works (e.g. Mormons) are sometimes outwardly more moral than others. But I see little indication that those who believe they can lose their salvation walk in significant more holiness that those who don't. So what's the point?
Your whole thrust is that fear of losing salvation is a motivator. But if that were true we'd see a great difference in the lives of "free gracers" and "elevator salvationists." We don't.
I've seen one thing that causes people to live holy lives for the long term. Loving Jesus. That is the only real motivator that gets people over the hump and keeps them going.
So trying to scare people into thinking they are going to lose their salvation in order to get them to behave by kingdom standards just doesn't work. It might have some superficial or temporary effect. But in the end, people seek God and live righteously because they want to please Him. And I don't think he would have it any other way. In short, it's about love.
In the end we are all saved, yes. But there are eternal, not only temporal, rewards for those who are faithful. However, we will cast even these crowns at His feet.
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Well fear worked for me. I thought I loved God but I really didn't based on my practice of deliberate sinning and confessing. Fear drove me to love him with all of my heart because I knew I needed him, there was no way I could be delivered by my own effort. I experienced who Yeshua was-- the Lord is our Salvation!
Those who can love God without such a motivator are blessed and I wish I had your gift.
Now I wouldn't say I fear God, as much as I have a reverent respect for him. He was faithful to replace the fear I had with his love. He is a good Father!
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love,
but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
That said I had to go through the experience described in these verses beforehand.
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Psalms 147:11
the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.