faith that is driven by fear

[other one]

 

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.

 

 

It sounds like this person didn't grow up in a loving family.    He may well not understand what loving someone is.

 

Personally I grew up in a Beaver Cleaver kind of home.   Two loving parents that cared for us and had guiding help but not dominating do this or else......    

As a result, I didn't disobey my parents for rear of being hurt, but because I didn't want them to be disappointed in me.     I can just see in my mind when I do something wrong, Satan there yelling, "Hey God, did you see what he just did?"    I didn't want to embarrass  my parents, and I don't want to embarrass my God.   For me personally that is much stronger than the fear of hell.

[gdemoss]

It was grace that taught my heart to fear

and grace my fears relieved!

It sounds like your friend needs someone to bring him completely to the end product of grace which is freedom from fear.

[seandavids]

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?

fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

[unworldly]

maybe if my friend had been born during the "Middle Ages",he wouldn't have had to worry about his faith.

Because back then,the church emphasized "the fear of God".

[Guest]

maybe if my friend had been born during the "Middle Ages", he wouldn't have had to worry about his faith.

Because back then, the church emphasized "the fear of God".

 

 

To Grow In Wisdom And Love, Abide

 

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

 

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine;

 

no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:3-4

[another_poster]

Short answer is I don't know.

Some thoughts however. There are different kinds of fear. There is scared kind of fear where one is frightened. There is also fear that can be healthy such as fear of large waves at the beach. While it is great fun swimming at the beach we need to remember that if we aren't careful then we can be tossed around like a rag doll. God is to be feared and he does not tolerate willful disobedience. Look at Acts 5 for the story of what happened when some people told a lie. That's new covenant not old! 

 

While a person may be motivated by fear that can change to other motivations with time. 

 

Also don't be too swayed by media images. At times they give the image they want to be seen. Truth is life is not always a bed of roses and happy smiles. Ask Job. Ask me! I can understand why they want to project a cheerful image but that is not always how we feel. 

 

Perhaps he is also frightened of being judged and that drives your friends fear. I know with sharing my story from the last few years with people I sometimes get asked what led me to almost taking my life a second time. It was something I did as opposed to something that happened to me  but I'm fairly sure I will never tell anyone because I think some christians would judge me for it and think how on earth could you have done that. Perhaps I just don't have enough faith in fellow brothers & sisters in christ. Perhaps your friend is the same. Show him love and acceptance. If discussing doctrine and he says something that is not right don't tell him he is wrong but rather arrange to sit down and go through what the bible says. If allowed to express his thoughts without being judged it could help. At the end of the day you know your friend better than we do. Pray for wisdom.

[Guest shiloh357]

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?

If he has truly put his faith in Jesus, then he is saved, according the infallible testimony of Scripture.

 

I don't know how long he has been saved, but he does need some discipleship in this area.  There is a healthy fear of hell that all of us should have.  Jesus preached about hell and the Bible tells us that it awaits all who choose to die in continued separation from God.

 

I would say he is saved, but he simply needs some instruction in this area.   I am eternally thankful that we don't have to have perfect theology in order for God to save us from hell.

[Tinky]

I think fear of punishment is a valid reason to seek a pardon from God. The very act of being fearful indicates one realizes they are a sinner - one who has broken God's Laws - and runs to Him on the basis of believing His promises of mercy and forgiveness to all who ask. 

[Keith]

Personally, I wouldn't dare presume another person's salvation without knowing them or talking to them.  I've seen the danger of this when others do it so casually.  But, I do agree with Tinky in that I think it's natural for fear (self-preservation) to be part of every person's reasons for desiring salvation.  It's part of seeing our need for a Savior.

 

Even if a person starts out with fearing (being afraid) God, that kind of fear would naturally develop into a reverential fear of God as that person grows in their relationship with Jesus, and experiences Him personally.  If that personal relationship isn't there, or developed, then the fear (being afraid) may never change.  That's concerning to me because of Matthew 7:21-23, which, in my opinion, is the most terrifying passage in all of scripture.  They show how essential that personal relationship with Jesus really is.

 

Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

 

"I never knew you..." indicates the lack of a one-on-one relationship with Him.  Instead, it's one of religion, law and/or duty. 

[Mr Nice]

A few thoughts and verses to ponder:

 

We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  Philippians 2:12

 

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4.

 

We know that this love is perfected in us when we keep His commandments.  1Jn 2:3-6  

"By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.  (4)  The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;  (5)  but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:  (6)  the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked."

 

Fear will only remain if we do not love God and the children of God.  1Jn 5:1-5  

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.  (2)  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.  (3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.  (4)  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.  (5)  Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

 

1Co 10:1-12  For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea;  (2)  and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;  (3)  and all ate the same spiritual food;  (4)  and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.  (5)  Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.  (6)  Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.  (7)  Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, "THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY."  (8)  Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.  (9)  Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.  (10)  Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.  (11)  Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  (12)  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall."

 

Mat 10:28  "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 

 

Rom 13:1-10  Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  (2)  Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.  (3)  For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;  (4)  for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.  (5)  Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.  (6)  For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.  (7)  Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.  (8)  Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.  (9)  For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."  (10)  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

 

2Co 5:5-15  Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.  (6)  Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--  (7)  for we walk by faith, not by sight--  (8)  we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.  (9)  Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.  (10)  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  (11)  Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.  (12)  We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.  (13)  For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.  (14)  For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;  (15)  and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

 

Fear can drive us to obedience so that we are innocent in the matter.  2Co 7:10-11  

"For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.  (11)  For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter."

 

We should fear not entering His rest if we are following the same example of disobedience as the Israelite.  Hebrews 4

 

1Pe 1:17-23  If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;  (18)  knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,  (19)  but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.  (20)  For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you  (21)  who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.  (22)  Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,  (23)  for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

 

 

So we see that fear will remain if love is not perfected in us.  This love is not perfected in us if we are not keeping His commandments.  If love is not perfected in us because we are following the same example as the Israel lights then we will be fearful of the consequences.  Thanks be to God, He has given us everything for life and godliness so that love can be perfected in those who have faith in what He has promised.  He provided everything we need so that we can walk in the Light as He is in the Light without stumbling.

 

Like someone stated earlier, without talking to your friend personally it is hard to understand what he fears, but if he has truly accepted Christ and is adhering to what we have been commanded (Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself)  then he should have no fear.

 

There is also a reverent fear which comes from adoration awe, and respect for God.  

 

Act 9:31  So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase. 

 

Rev 19:5  And a voice came from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great." 

 

 

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