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If I loved the Lord and knew the Lord loved me as much or more than I loved him why would I fear him? He leadeth me beside the still waters. He maketh me lie down in green pastures. He restoreth my soul. He would care for me and watch over me. If I knew this I would be virtually fearless. So again why would I fear him and what could he possibly do that I might fear?
But in my love of the Lord and the knowledge that he guides me, why would I even concern myself with that. Every decision I might make would be guided by the knowledge and love the Lord has given me. Why would i even want to do wrong? But even if I did I would know what I have done. So I would envelope myself again in the love of the Lord such that I might not repeat such mistakes. For I would know the Lord has forgiven me such that I might resume my path of walking with the Lord. I would still feel no need for fear. Obviously that's a bit idealistic but why not?
Both of you are living with a romanticized idea of Jesus IMO. While love and other virtues were big issues with him and we are admonished to live lives of love, charity, etc. Jesus certainly DID make the point that without him it's an eternity of loss. In a mild way, I was trying to make this point earlier by saying that Jesus was not everybody's pushover who didn't care about anything other than loving your neighbor.
Yes, If that's what it takes to be free and live by one's own reason, then I'll gladly take that risk. But there isn't a risk because there is no evidence of such a place as Hell and those who abandon their rational mind out of fear of it are the ones who lose. The bargain goes both ways.
I see the love of God to be similar to how a child might love their father. I have two wonderful daughters whom I have very close and loving relationships with. Never once did I ever physically punish either of them. And in fact the mere thought of it was an abomination to me. My wonderful daughters knew they never needed to fear me because they knew no matter what they ever did I would always be there for them and they know that to this day. Our relationships have even grown to the point I now even ask them for advice. Some parents worry that their children will not be there for them when they grow old. That thought never even crosses my mind.
Oh carnal man... Always wants too see it to believe it, and even if you did you would still reject it. You may yet see it, not now however.
