Love Replaces Fear

When I first posted to this blog site I promised those that started it that my posts would be uplifting.

I think that have kept that promise thus far.

I will continue to keep it even though this discussion starts out with something that seems anything but uplifting.

Hell.

Hell is a reality most people would rather not think about.

The concept of Hell being an actual place can and does make people feel uncomfortable.

Matthew 13:42 (NET) – They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

It is easy to see why this makes people feel uncomfortable.

That is not necessarily a bad thing because discomfort is a great motivator for change.

When you touch a hot stove the discomfort you feel in your hand motivates you to move your hand away before more permanent damage is done.

The fact that there are consequences for the choices we have made or failed to make in life is often the motivation required for change.

Jesus also spoke about what happens as a result of such a change.

Matthew 13:43 (NET) – Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears had better listen!

This is indeed good news.

But something really wonderful happens when a life is transformed in such a way.

We begin to live a life based on love rather than fear.

We desire to please God in our words and actions because we love Him not because we fear Him.

God is our Father.

He planned for our salvation before time itself existed.

2 Peter 3:9 (NET) – The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some regard slowness, but is patient toward you, because He does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

He loves us and he wants our love in return.

He desires our love rather than our fear.

Even if the thought of hell was the initial motivation for change, the love we have for God ultimately becomes our primary motivation.

It is a love that grows stronger and deeper with each passing day.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 14, 2015.

I’ll be back here on Friday, August 21, 2015