unworldly Posted December 23, 2014 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 6 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 34 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 5 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/13/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted December 23, 2014 i have a friend who says that he believes in all the essential doctrines and tenets of protestant Christianity. He says that he has trusted in Jesus Christ for his salvation and respects and adheres to the Scripture. But he also says that the main driving force behind his faith is fear of eternal torment in hell. In fact,his fear of God by far overshadows the other aspects of his relationship with the Lord. Do you think his faith is a genuine saving faith? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverwalker Posted December 23, 2014 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 92 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 2,054 Content Per Day: 0.60 Reputation: 1,753 Days Won: 4 Joined: 12/09/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted December 23, 2014 Then he does not know the love of God or have a healthy relationship with God For God is love, and we are not given a spirit to fear, but of love power and a sound mind. It sounds like your friend is marking time and playing church Pray with him, to reach out for God and develop that relationship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unworldly Posted December 23, 2014 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 6 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 34 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 5 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/13/2014 Status: Offline Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 Proverbs 1:7 says :"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge." Maybe,he's in the very early stages of his relationship with God ,and just needs to become more mature and grow in faith,to love God and also accept that God is love. He has stated clearly that he loves God. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cog Posted December 24, 2014 Group: Seeker Followers: 0 Topic Count: 8 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 143 Content Per Day: 0.04 Reputation: 32 Days Won: 0 Joined: 07/09/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted December 24, 2014 If you love someone deeply, don't you fear hurting them, and them you?Is it fear that leads you to faith, or faith that leads you to fear?If you have true faith, I think it will lead you to works, and those works may be motivated by fear or love or both, and so I don't think either is wrong so long as it produces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mevosper Posted December 24, 2014 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 19 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 317 Content Per Day: 0.09 Reputation: 133 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/24/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted December 24, 2014 David feared God: 1 Chron 13:12 Moses Feared God: Heb 12:21 Moses told the Jews they should have the fear of God: Ex 20:20 Jesus told us to fear: Matt 10:28, Luke 12:4 no fear, no faith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwikphilly Posted December 24, 2014 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 96 Topic Count: 307 Topics Per Day: 0.08 Content Count: 18,143 Content Per Day: 4.62 Reputation: 27,832 Days Won: 327 Joined: 08/03/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted December 24, 2014 Blessings unworldly Welcome to Worthy......I do believe that whatever it is that leads a person to the foot of the cross is between them & God,God draws men unto Himself,convicts hearts and has made it possible for us to return to Him,reconciled,,,,,,,,,,if fear drives a man to seek Salvation then so what?The point is ,this man has arrived at Jesus feet,He knew He needs a Savior,,,,,He must now grow & le5arn ....as we all must......let us celebrate the Joy of His Salvation,let us pray He seeks relationship,Wisdom & Understanding..... Philippians 1:15-18New International Version (NIV) 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, Yes,I rejoice ,,,like Paul With love-in Christ,Kwik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 i have a friend who says that he believes in all the essential doctrines and tenets of protestant Christianity. He says that he has trusted in Jesus Christ for his salvation and respects and adheres to the Scripture. But he also says that the main driving force behind his faith is fear of eternal torment in hell. In fact his fear of God by far overshadows the other aspects of his relationship with the Lord. Do you think his faith is a genuine saving faith? ~ Smart The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psalms 111:10 Fellow The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 24, 2014 Share Posted December 24, 2014 Only GOD knows if this person is saved. If he believes that Christ died for his sins and rose from the dead, than he is saved as that is all that is required. His motivation makes no difference. It's what you believe, not how you live that saves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willa Posted December 25, 2014 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 68 Topic Count: 186 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 14,247 Content Per Day: 3.32 Reputation: 16,658 Days Won: 30 Joined: 08/14/2012 Status: Offline Share Posted December 25, 2014 The commandment is to love God with all our heart soul, strength & mind. Each person's relationship with God is highly personal, and maybe the person needs to obey out of fear. I don't think I have ever feared hell. I have feared the chastening of God and the thought of being without His fellowship is frightening. He is my security blanket--my Comforter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unworldly Posted December 25, 2014 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 6 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 34 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 5 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/13/2014 Status: Offline Author Share Posted December 25, 2014 The commandment is to love God with all our heart soul, strength & mind. Each person's relationship with God is highly personal, and maybe the person needs to obey out of fear. I don't think I have ever feared hell. I have feared the chastening of God and the thought of being without His fellowship is frightening. He is my security blanket--my Comforter. I think he's concerned about the nature of his Christian faith,because it really doesn't fit the image of a joyful,optimistic and happy Christian which we often associate with being "born-again" and which is often seen on Christian evangelical media. His Christian faith is mostly about silent,fearful obedient worshiping of God and i think if he loves God,it's mainly because Bible tells him to love God ,and he simply obeys what the scripture instructs. I think he concentrates his mind on his fear of the Lord ,because it helps him to avoid committing sin and stumbling in his life as a Christian. He doesn't fit the image of a born-again Christian that is often portrayed in the media at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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