“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.” 1Jo4.18
I remember well the utter fear I had of my father’s anger. That fear kept me from many wrongful actions. Fear of punishment will often motivate people to do the right thing, even if they desire to do wrong. But this kind of fear is all about forced compliance and while necessary here on earth, fear cannot enable us to live in heaven. Many initially come to God in fear of punishment but once with Him, they find and must find, fear replaced by love. Far better to obey God because you love Him not because you are afraid of Him. Every parent would say the same for their children. Better the child who chooses to honor their mother and father as a desire of the heart rather than by some external compliance growing out of a fear of being caught.
Think about it. Would you want your neighbors to drive through your neighborhood at a safe speed only because of a fear of the police or because they loved your children and would never endanger them.
The City of God will be ruled by love alone. There will be no police in heaven. There will be no need for them. Only those perfected in love will be allowed to drive within her gates. 2/22/07 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
