Really struggling with the idea of Hell

[Landon Caeli]

I've been a Christian for 3 and a half years, and for the first time, I'm starting to really wrestle with the idea of a loving God sending people to Hell. Throughout my life as a Christian, I've never questioned it. I've always thought, "Of course it's fair that God sends non-Christians to Hell! Their sins aren't paid for, so they have to take the punishment of their sins upon themselves." I never really allowed myself to think about the concept of eternal suffering too hard, because I was afraid that if I started questioning the fairness of this, I would end up leaving the faith. But recently I've started asking questions I've never let myself ask before, like: "Why do the damned suffer eternal punishment for temporal sins?" "If God knew the vast majority of people would end up in unbearable agony for all eternity, why did he ever create humankind?" "Why can't God just destroy the wicked on Judgement Day? Why keep them around for the sole purpose of torturing them?"

Today I was reading an article about the physical suffering of Jesus on the Cross, and couldn't help but think to myself, "the people in Hell will suffer just as much, if not more, than this. And while Jesus' physical torture lasted less than 24 hours, their torture will never end." I immediately tried to push this blasphemous thought out of my head, but it still lingers.

Now that I'm having these questions, it's getting much harder to walk with the Lord like I used to. It's very difficult to feel affection for God when I remember that He's going to sentence the vast majority of humanity to an eternity of unimaginable torture, with no hope of relief. I mean, how does this knowledge not drive us all insane? I can't even walk around Walmart anymore without constantly thinking to myself, "Most of the people in this store will spend eternity in Hell." I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm going crazy.

I know that no matter what my feelings tell me, my God is just and merciful. I understand that any punishment God hands out is perfectly fair. I know that He is not a sadistic monster, no matter how strongly I feel otherwise. So please do not read this post as me accusing God of those things, because I'm not. I just need to figure out how to reconcile my belief that God is good with my belief that God condemns 99% of people to eternal, conscious torment.

Sorry if this post is all jumbled or makes no sense, I'm really not in the right mental state to be forming coherent thoughts right now.

Maybe the torment of hell is being described in scripture from the POV of a divine being, but by the view of a normal human, it's not actually such a bad place at all.

...Perhaps there's enough gluttony, lust, inappropriate contentography, pride, and arrogance in hell to keep a sinful soul eternally comfortable.

 

[ViaCrucis]

"God is good, dispassionate, and immutable. Now someone who thinks it reasonable and true to affirm that God does not change, may well ask how, in that case, is it possible to speak of God as rejoicing over those who are good and showing mercy to those who honour Him, and as turning away from the wicked and being angry with sinners. To this it must be answered that God neither rejoices nor grows angry, for to rejoice and to be offended are passions; nor is He won over by the gifts of those who honour Him, for that would mean He is swayed by pleasure. It is not right that the Divinity feel pleasure or displeasure from human conditions. He is good, and He only bestows blessings and never does harm, remaining always the same. We men, on the other hand, if we remain good through resembling God, are united to Him, but if we become evil through not resembling God, we are separated from Him. By living in holiness we cleave to God; but by becoming wicked we make Him our enemy. It is not that He grows angry with us in an arbitrary way, but it is our own sins that prevent God from shining within us and expose us to demons who torture us. And if through prayer and acts of compassion we gain release from our sins, this does not mean that we have won God over and made Him to change, but that through our actions and our turning to the Divinity, we have cured our wickedness and so once more have enjoyment of God’s goodness. Thus to say that God turns away from the wicked is like saying that the sun hides itself from the blind." - St. Anthony of the Desert

Hell is not what happens when God becomes angry toward sinners, and therefore punishes us by setting us into endless tortures.

Hell is what happens when men, in their sin, insist on having nothing to do with God or His goodness.

Hell is a prison whose doors are locked from the inside. Its prisoners have come and voluntarily locked themselves away in order to hide from God, to hide from His mercy and compassion. And yet, what does the Psalmist say, "Where can I go to flee from Your presence?" adding, "If I make my bed in Hades, you are there." So even in deepest darkest hell the light of God shines--even there His love, mercy, compassion, and goodness reign.

Hell is not God's anger toward man, but man's anger toward God.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[cerulean]

interesting question. a few weeks back, there was a question asked that if the threat of hell didnt exist, would you still be a christian. that question caused me to reflect on my situation. and tonite, oddly enough, i read something from john piper saying if the threat of hell is the only reason you want to get saved, then you are not saved.

i now have no doubt that i am not saved as the fear of hell is the only reason i would ever think about getting saved. i have been trying for almost 2 years now to get saved. it has always eluded me and i couldnt understand, till tonite. its not that i dont believe, i simply have no love for Him. but i have no love for anyone.

but i do believe that hell is even worse nthan we can imagine. other demons, fire, darkness, and eventually even satan will be there. its an eternal torment far worse than any of us could imagine.

I’m in the same position. That exact quote from John Piper is what has been making me doubt my salvation lately. The only reason I became a Christian in the first place was to avoid Hell, and I honestly think the fear of Hell is the main thing keeping me in the faith. Does that mean I’m not saved?

 

[iarwain]

Daniel 12:1-2
Matthew 25:46
Jude 7
Jude 13
Revelation 20:10

I'm not really trying to change anyone's mind on this, just giving my impression. With that in mind:

The Daniel verse talks about the Last Judgement. The contempt is said to be eternal, but not necessarily their existence.
Re: Matthew, eternal punishment could mean death.
Jude 7: The fire is described as eternal, not the torment.
Jude 13: Blackest darkness could be death.
Revelation: I mentioned this in my prior post.

 

[aiki]

I’m in the same position. That exact quote from John Piper is what has been making me doubt my salvation lately. The only reason I became a Christian in the first place was to avoid Hell, and I honestly think the fear of Hell is the main thing keeping me in the faith. Does that mean I’m not saved?

The danger of hell is part of the Gospel and God, of course, knows that it will be a major motivator of some toward Him. But the Gospel also tells us of God's mercy and love extended to us though we all deserved only His holy wrath and punishment. It is the amazing nature of God's love and grace that is the real Good News of salvation. He is justice, holiness and purity, and mercy, compassion and love, too. And so, not only can we be rescued from the much-deserved consequences of our own wickedness, but we can walk with God Almighty, Creator and Ruler of the universe, in joyful, loving communion! That is Good News indeed!

If all that has stuck in your understanding of the Gospel is the threat of hell, you haven't really understood the Gospel. The fear of hell may drive you toward God but it can't be the basis upon which you walk with Him as His child. God wants our love above and before all else. That's why the First and Great Commandment is what it is. (Matthew 16:24-25) It's why Paul the apostle wrote that no matter we say, or know, or do, if we aren't motivated by love - first for God and then for others - it is all useless. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) This is pretty shocking stuff for many modern "Christians"! They think they can walk with God from all sorts of other motivations - fear, religious pride, duty and obligation, even long-established habit (ie. its how they were raised). But God in His word tells us only love will do as a motive for our obedience and fidelity to Him.

Fear of hell is a form of Self protection; it's interest is directed inward toward preserving oneself, not outward toward knowing and loving God. God is not the center of this fear, the threatened individual is. This fear is essentially a kind of selfishness - the very thing that is at the heart of every sin we commit. And so, God rejects this kind of motivation for walking with Him. This is why thinking to walk with God on the basis of fear of hell is impossible. One can't be the self-obsessed person one must be when spurred on by fear and be the God-loving person they must be to properly walk with God. Trying to do both, to live both ways, must necessarily end in failure.

Are you saved? What do you think? Do you see in your life the marks of a genuinely born-again person as laid out in Scripture? Does the Holy Spirit convict you of sin? (John 16:8) Does the Holy Spirit teach you God's truth? (John 16:13; John 14:26) Does the Holy Spirit strengthen you in times of temptation? (Ephesians 3:16; Romans 8:13; Philippians 2:13) Does the Holy Spirit glorify God in your mind and heart? (John 16:14) Does the Holy Spirit form in you more and more the Fruit of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:22-23) Do you delight in God's word? (Jeremiah 15:16; Psalms 19:7-11) Do you love the Christian brethren? (1 John 3:14) These are all things the Bible tells us are the common experience of those indwelt by God's Spirit, or, in other words, born-again spiritually, or saved. Are these things part of your daily experience as a Christian? If not, you have the answer to whether or not you're truly saved.

I should point out that we come to experience God in a progressive way, our lives conforming over time to the character of Christ, our experience of God, of His Spirit, expanding and deepening as we mature spiritually. If there is no hint whatever of the things I've listed above, however, and no desire for them at all, then your true condition spiritually is not a mystery.

1 John 4:16-19
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.

 

[Albion]

I'm not really trying to change anyone's mind on this, just giving my impression. With that in mind:
The Daniel verse talks about the Last Judgement. The contempt is said to be eternal, but not necessarily their existence.
Re: Matthew, eternal punishment could mean death.
Jude 7: The fire is described as eternal, not the torment.

Okay, we can have different opinions. But, one question...

How can the Matthew verse mean annihilation? (MT 25:46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.) And how can it mean death but yet "eternal life" mean...life?

 

[cerulean]

I do not know the deepness of your pain so I reply cautiously & ,hopefully, with sensitivity.

We all struggle with sin & personally I struggle when I compare the Lord’s commandments ( love God & neighbor)to my state of mind. I also realize that this is where hope begins. The Lord’s commandments are like His light on Mt. Tabor ( Matthew 17:1-9). We cannot attain that but yet we can just allow it to take over us & we can know that is the light at the end of the tunnel. On the way it is rough as St. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:10-18. Our works should not be intended as some fearful attempts to appease or bribe God but a proactive approach. Always remember the fear of the Lord of course ( Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 etc.). In this approach we run the gamut of emotions but we can take on our sin, increase our hope for ourselves & others. Basically the Lord calls us to be charitable & pray. If a person is poor, a couple bucks to charity & sincerely praying the Lord’s Prayer ( Matthew 6:1-5) can be a person’s “reasonable service”( KJV) St. Paul refers to in Romans 12:1-3.

This is very encouraging. However, I’m not sure I understand what you mean by our works being a “proactive approach?”

 

[iarwain]

Okay, we can have different opinions. But, one question...

How can the Matthew verse mean annihilation? (MT 25:46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.) And how can it mean death but yet "eternal life" mean...life?

If the punishment is death, then their punishment is eternal, it lasts forever.

But I'm content to agree to disagree. I don't claim to know the answer, but I have an open mind on the subject. Given the information we have, it appears to me the wages of sin are death. We need the blood of Jesus for salvation either way.

 

[cerulean]

The danger of hell is part of the Gospel and God, of course, knows that it will be a major motivator of some toward Him. But the Gospel also tells us of God's mercy and love extended to us though we all deserved only His holy wrath and punishment. It is the amazing nature of God's love and grace that is the real Good News of salvation. He is not only justice, holiness and purity but mercy, compassion and love, too. And so, not only can we be rescued from the much-deserved consequences of our own wickedness, but we can walk with God Almighty, Creator and Ruler of the universe, in joyful, loving communion! That is Good News indeed!

If all that has stuck in your understanding of the Gospel is the threat of hell, you haven't really understood the Gospel. The fear of hell may drive you toward God but it can't be the basis upon which you walk with Him as His child. God wants our love above and before all else. That's why the
First and Great Commandment is what it is. (Matthew 16:24-25) It's why Paul the apostle wrote that no matter we say, or know, or do, if we aren't motivated by love - first for God and then for others - it is all useless. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) This is pretty shocking stuff for many modern "Christians"! They think they can walk with God from all sorts of other motivations - fear, religious pride, duty and obligation, even long-established habit (ie. its how they were raised). But God in His word tells us only love will do as a motive for our obedience and fidelity to Him.

Fear of hell is a form of Self protection; it's interest is directed inward toward preserving oneself, not outward toward knowing and loving God. God is not the center of this fear, the threatened individual is. This fear is essentially a kind of selfishness - the very thing that is at the heart of every sin we commit. And so, God rejects this kind of motivation for walking with Him. This is why thinking to walk with God on the basis of fear of hell is impossible. One can't be the self-obsessed person one must be when spurred on by fear and be the God-loving person they must be to properly walk with God. Trying to do both, to live both ways, must necessarily end in failure.

Are you saved? What do you think? Do you see in your life the marks of a genuinely born-again person as laid out in Scripture? Does the Holy Spirit convict you of sin? (John 16:8) Does the Holy Spirit teach you God's truth? (John 16:13; John 14:26) Does the Holy Spirit strengthen you in times of temptation? (Ephesians 3:16; Romans 8:13; Philippians 2:13) Does the Holy Spirit glorify God in your mind and heart? (John 16:14) Does the Holy Spirit form in you more and more the Fruit of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:22-23) Do you delight in God's word? (Jeremiah 15:16; Psalms 19:7-11) Do you love the Christian brethren? (1 John 3:14) These are all things the Bible tells us are the common experience of those indwelt by God's Spirit, or, in other words, born-again spiritually, or saved. Are these things part of your daily experience as a Christian? If not, you have the answer to whether or not you're truly saved.

I should point out that we come to experience God in a progressive way, our lives conforming over time to the character of Christ, our experience of God, of His Spirit, expanding and deepening as we mature spiritually. If there is no hint whatever of the things I've listed above, however, and no desire for them at all, then your true condition spiritually is not a mystery.

1 John 4:16-19
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.

I don’t know. I doubt my salvation very often. I do see fruits of the Spirit in my life but for all I know they may be false fruits. I, much like @Lifelong_sinner, haven’t really experienced the emotion of love for God, or at least not much of it. But I definitely wouldn’t say that the threat of Hell is the only thing I understand about the Gospel, it’s so much more than that.

I have repented of my sins and placed my trust in Jesus alone, but maybe you’re right. Maybe my motivations are wrong so I’m not really a Christian. If this is the case, what solution do you suggest. If I’m a false convert because I have selfish motives for following God, how can I be saved truly? How can I come to love God and follow Him from the motivation of love?

 

[Jesusfann777888]

I've been a Christian for 3 and a half years, and for the first time, I'm starting to really wrestle with the idea of a loving God sending people to Hell. Throughout my life as a Christian, I've never questioned it. I've always thought, "Of course it's fair that God sends non-Christians to Hell! Their sins aren't paid for, so they have to take the punishment of their sins upon themselves." I never really allowed myself to think about the concept of eternal suffering too hard, because I was afraid that if I started questioning the fairness of this, I would end up leaving the faith. But recently I've started asking questions I've never let myself ask before, like: "Why do the damned suffer eternal punishment for temporal sins?" "If God knew the vast majority of people would end up in unbearable agony for all eternity, why did he ever create humankind?" "Why can't God just destroy the wicked on Judgement Day? Why keep them around for the sole purpose of torturing them?"

Today I was reading an article about the physical suffering of Jesus on the Cross, and couldn't help but think to myself, "the people in Hell will suffer just as much, if not more, than this. And while Jesus' physical torture lasted less than 24 hours, their torture will never end." I immediately tried to push this blasphemous thought out of my head, but it still lingers.

Now that I'm having these questions, it's getting much harder to walk with the Lord like I used to. It's very difficult to feel affection for God when I remember that He's going to sentence the vast majority of humanity to an eternity of unimaginable torture, with no hope of relief. I mean, how does this knowledge not drive us all insane? I can't even walk around Walmart anymore without constantly thinking to myself, "Most of the people in this store will spend eternity in Hell." I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm going crazy.

I know that no matter what my feelings tell me, my God is just and merciful. I understand that any punishment God hands out is perfectly fair. I know that He is not a sadistic monster, no matter how strongly I feel otherwise. So please do not read this post as me accusing God of those things, because I'm not. I just need to figure out how to reconcile my belief that God is good with my belief that God condemns 99% of people to eternal, conscious torment.

Sorry if this post is all jumbled or makes no sense, I'm really not in the right mental state to be forming coherent thoughts right now.

You ask a difficult question. I assume there is a spiritually motivated reason for the question your asking, and you might understand what I mean or not.

1. Generally, when we aim The Bible at other people we feel immune to Condemnation. The problem is that the majority of people who have done this have condemned others.

2. When we realize we are greatly sinful, and have committed constant sinful acts we tend to then get worried about going to hell. There are also other Spiritual motivations to the question your asking.

The Answer has more to do with how God View's sin, and how sinner's view sin. I assume, there is a Strong disparity.

God as a Judge decided that he would Condemn sinners to death and Eternal Destruction. In fact, The Bible States you lose your soul in hell, so it's worse, you cease to exist from the context I've read, I think.

It could be demon's just trying to get you to view God in the negative. Life is a lot longer and get's harder as you go on. From The First Time you Confess, up until where you are now you were'nt Expecting Some of the things you went through. the devil's been at this longer than you.

1. You can't push blasphemous thought's away. You aren't their origin. I won't get into difficult detail's with you.

It's difficult to imagine that the people you see around you are going to suffer judgement, but you aren't Considering the offense of their sin. as sinner's who had sin imputed to us, it's a matter of choice. what's more Important. our sin, or God. you aren't the only one struggling with question's and I don't mean this to be rude. be carefull with everything you think and do. This is serious stuff. We can't help but go through the consequence's of our action's. Myself might go to hell, unfortunately. I'm struggling with sin. I can tell you however, just take it easy. Try not to question to much. and if you have to, cry. Talk To Jesus. The Bible Say'S Ask God for wisdom, an He'll give it to you. Maybe, you'll be able to answer a question a lot of people are Curious about and Help Them.

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

I don’t know. I doubt my salvation very often. I do see fruits of the Spirit in my life but for all I know they may be false fruits. I, much like @Lifelong_sinner, haven’t really experienced the emotion of love for God, or at least not much of it. But I definitely wouldn’t say that the threat of Hell is the only thing I understand about the Gospel, it’s so much more than that.

I have repented of my sins and placed my trust in Jesus alone, but maybe you’re right. Maybe my motivations are wrong so I’m not really a Christian. If this is the case, what solution do you suggest. If I’m a false convert because I have selfish motives for following God, how can I be saved truly? How can I come to love God and follow Him from the motivation of love?

i have tried to repent,but i cant. i love my sin too much. keep in mind, i started practicing sin in the 6th grade. and i've done that same sin almost every day since. i cant shake it, but because its a victimless crime, i dont see why it should be a sin. and when i do it, i dont feel bad. but where i think the problem for me is, i started this sin in 6th grade, i was 11. i didnt even know it was a sin till i was 25. thats 14 yrs daily of doing this sin without reflection. im now 48. still doing it. i caqn tell you right now, i have put my own health at risk over this. and yet, i cant stop doing it. it completely controls me.

first john says if we practice sin, we are not saved. for 37 years i have practiced this sin. its how i know im not saved. your case i hope is not as severe as mine. and prayer has gotten me nowhere with beating this. at some point, you get tired and discouraged. You simply give up. My sin controls me. And this is what the testimony of a hell bound addict looks like.

 

[Eloy Craft]

Culpability requires knowledge and freedom. Habit / addiction can obstruct freedom to the point of little or no culpability. Between the sinner and God.

 

[cerulean]

i have tried to repent,but i cant. i love my sin too much. keep in mind, i started practicing sin in the 6th grade. and i've done that same sin almost every day since. i cant shake it, but because its a victimless crime, i dont see why it should be a sin. and when i do it, i dont feel bad. but where i think the problem for me is, i started this sin in 6th grade, i was 11. i didnt even know it was a sin till i was 25. thats 14 yrs daily of doing this sin without reflection. im now 48. still doing it. i caqn tell you right now, i have put my own health at risk over this. and yet, i cant stop doing it. it completely controls me.

first john says if we practice sin, we are not saved. for 37 years i have practiced this sin. its how i know im not saved. your case i hope is not as severe as mine. and prayer has gotten me nowhere with beating this. at some point, you get tired and discouraged. You simply give up. My sin controls me. And this is what the testimony of a hell bound addict looks like.

I have no idea if you’re saved, or even if I’m saved, but I just wanna let you know you’re not alone. I feel compassion for you because I’ve been there, though maybe not to the same extent. I too have a besetting sin that is hard to quit because my mind rationalizes it as a “victimless crime.” I started it (or at least a form of it) when I was very very small, and didn’t start thinking it might be a sin until I was 13-ish. I’m currently about a week clean (praise God!), but it’s a very tough habit to beat. So I kind of know what you mean.

Again, I cannot tell you if you are saved or not. But one thing I will encourage you with is that even if you’re not saved right now, you are not hopelessly bound for Hell, my friend. If you’re still breathing and blood is still pumping through your veins, God’s not done with you! Obviously, keep fighting your addiction/habitual sin, but don’t for a second think that God has given up on you, brother. <3

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Culpability requires knowledge and freedom. Habit / addiction can obstruct freedom to the point of little or no culpability. Between the sinner and God.

that is a very interesting take on morality. And while i wish i could agree with you on it, i cant because of what paul said about alcoholics not being able to enter the Kingdom. Alcoholism is a very serious addiction, and if that can keep you out, i think it stands to reason that ALL addictions can keep you out. In other words, on judgement day, i dont think Jesus will buy the excuse of saying you had an addiction problem.

 

[Cormack]

The corporate world of religions will always dangle you a carrot, @Lifelong_sinner. These organisations need your patronage, your time, money and yes, even your guilt. Regardless of your mental or physical health, your relationship with God, whatever they might sacrifice they need that guilt to fuel your giving.

If you honestly don’t experience guilt over your lifestyle, yet your name’s lifelong sinner, and you share these conflicted thoughts to do with your sin life, then it’s clear to me that you’re carrying somebody else’s baggage.

At best posters could reply you’re being convicted by the Holy Spirit, at worst it’s some church Karen in your past who bore her standards into the back of your mind. Trying to nag you into salvation while they had the sort of theology that couldn’t secure their own salvation.

My honest (albeit ignorant) opinion is that you need to step outside of your sin life, your need for reconciliation, your anything really. Drop the me complex we are all victim to at one point or another, even the me moments that warn you about hell, because sin and guilt and ego feed off of that. Hell’s wide open for people who have the focus all on themselves.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was quoted to have said something like don’t live your entire life trying to avoid evil, live your entire life trying to do good.

I think your lack of guilt over sin (but sin still occupying your thoughts) is the result of simple social pressures to behave in ways that the community prefer. It’s not magical or special or even geared towards goodness, it’s something every community does to the people involved. The same community that control the rudder of our lives to enter into what they call “righteousness” can cause us to enter into real sin.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

i have much respect for Jesus, He is the only human to have never sinned. I find that simply amazing. But as for the fear of hell, i can tell you now that if it wasnt for that one fear, i’d either be in prison or dead right now. Its not the love of Jesus that keeps me up at nite, its the fear of dying in my sleep only to awaken to being in hell. My sin doesnt bother me beyond knowing that it is a sin. How else do you explain having a habitual sin for over 30 yrs on a daily basis...

Does what your sins do to other people bother you? Just wondering..

 

[Cormack]

Does what your sins do to other people bother you? Just wondering..

Since @Lifelong_sinner described the act as a victimless crime, what the act does(?) to other people is a very broad statement. It doesn’t do anything to anyone if the initial post is to be believed, unless posters want to insist he’s harming God or triggering them by the mere prospect of his secret sins.

i cant shake it, but because its a victimless crime, i dont see why it should be a sin.

If anything, since @Lifelong_sinner describes the action as a danger to his own health, he’s the real victim here. The wound is spiritual and self inflicted.

 

[Cormack]

That exact quote from John Piper is what has been making me doubt my salvation lately.

I wouldn’t doubt my salvation based upon anything John Piper said.

Gods love and Pipers understanding of what it means to be loved (or unloved) by God. ^^^

For anyone who thinks they understand what John Piper is saying when he talks about love, I recommend this video.

 

[Jesusfann777888]

I don’t know. I doubt my salvation very often. I do see fruits of the Spirit in my life but for all I know they may be false fruits. I, much like @Lifelong_sinner, haven’t really experienced the emotion of love for God, or at least not much of it. But I definitely wouldn’t say that the threat of Hell is the only thing I understand about the Gospel, it’s so much more than that.

I have repented of my sins and placed my trust in Jesus alone, but maybe you’re right. Maybe my motivations are wrong so I’m not really a Christian. If this is the case, what solution do you suggest. If I’m a false convert because I have selfish motives for following God, how can I be saved truly? How can I come to love God and follow Him from the motivation of love?

Ask Jesus for Help. Stop saying your a false convert. If You Believe, God said, you shall not be condemned. So Stop WORRYING! If you don't and I want you to reread your post, "feel", like you love a person, do some homework about why you lose feelings or why you don't have them. If You want to Fall In Love With Jesus, The God Of Creation, Read His Word and ask Him For His Prescense. You Don't fall in Love until you Seek and Then Expierience
Calm down.

 

[Jesusfann777888]

The danger of hell is part of the Gospel and God, of course, knows that it will be a major motivator of some toward Him. But the Gospel also tells us of God's mercy and love extended to us though we all deserved only His holy wrath and punishment. It is the amazing nature of God's love and grace that is the real Good News of salvation. He is justice, holiness and purity, and mercy, compassion and love, too. And so, not only can we be rescued from the much-deserved consequences of our own wickedness, but we can walk with God Almighty, Creator and Ruler of the universe, in joyful, loving communion! That is Good News indeed!

If all that has stuck in your understanding of the Gospel is the threat of hell, you haven't really understood the Gospel. The fear of hell may drive you toward God but it can't be the basis upon which you walk with Him as His child. God wants our love above and before all else. That's why the First and Great Commandment is what it is. (Matthew 16:24-25) It's why Paul the apostle wrote that no matter we say, or know, or do, if we aren't motivated by love - first for God and then for others - it is all useless. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) This is pretty shocking stuff for many modern "Christians"! They think they can walk with God from all sorts of other motivations - fear, religious pride, duty and obligation, even long-established habit (ie. its how they were raised). But God in His word tells us only love will do as a motive for our obedience and fidelity to Him.

Fear of hell is a form of Self protection; it's interest is directed inward toward preserving oneself, not outward toward knowing and loving God. God is not the center of this fear, the threatened individual is. This fear is essentially a kind of selfishness - the very thing that is at the heart of every sin we commit. And so, God rejects this kind of motivation for walking with Him. This is why thinking to walk with God on the basis of fear of hell is impossible. One can't be the self-obsessed person one must be when spurred on by fear and be the God-loving person they must be to properly walk with God. Trying to do both, to live both ways, must necessarily end in failure.

Are you saved? What do you think? Do you see in your life the marks of a genuinely born-again person as laid out in Scripture? Does the Holy Spirit convict you of sin? (John 16:8) Does the Holy Spirit teach you God's truth? (John 16:13; John 14:26) Does the Holy Spirit strengthen you in times of temptation? (Ephesians 3:16; Romans 8:13; Philippians 2:13) Does the Holy Spirit glorify God in your mind and heart? (John 16:14) Does the Holy Spirit form in you more and more the Fruit of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:22-23) Do you delight in God's word? (Jeremiah 15:16; Psalms 19:7-11) Do you love the Christian brethren? (1 John 3:14) These are all things the Bible tells us are the common experience of those indwelt by God's Spirit, or, in other words, born-again spiritually, or saved. Are these things part of your daily experience as a Christian? If not, you have the answer to whether or not you're truly saved.

I should point out that we come to experience God in a progressive way, our lives conforming over time to the character of Christ, our experience of God, of His Spirit, expanding and deepening as we mature spiritually. If there is no hint whatever of the things I've listed above, however, and no desire for them at all, then your true condition spiritually is not a mystery.

1 John 4:16-19
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.

This has a lot of great points. While O don't agree with Everything, a lot of it is well written. There are also gray area's however, such as the person who died on a cross next to God who was joined with Him in Heaven despite not being baptised, ETC.

God's not a robot, and I think its important to remember He's a Person, But God. And that's Cool!