Fear or Love? or Hospitality part 2

Not to get heavily into Bible doctrines, but I've been thinking about those who believe that fear (of burning in hell forever or loosing God's love or approval) is a good motivator for people to "be good" (or to "be sweet," as many a Southern Mama will instruct her children) or to "become a Christian."

Over the years of watching people and interacting with them, I'm sure that fear is one of the strongest motivators that can "inspire" people to change. But I'm also quite sure that the change is usually very temporary. There's only so long that a body and mind can run on adrenaline before it collapses in exhaustion. A life bathed in the intensity of an underlying fear will burn out in time, leaving a blackened, shriveled heart.

The Bible teaches of a God that is forgiving and kind and willing to grow us and hold us up through our stumblings. Does he expect obedience? Of course! Does he expect a willing heart? Absolutely! Does he expect purity and goodness? Without question! But I'm convinced that when we understand how gracious and forgiving He is, we can "lighten up" a little. We can be less obsessed with our every little action - with ourselves. We will then have the time and the freedom of spirit to notice other people - their struggles and needs - just like Jesus did.

I'm beginning to think that Jesus had a lot more human to Him than I've ever thought before. Maybe the Bible mentions the times that He stayed up all night praying (not to show us what a superstar He was, but) specifically because He was a man who usually "took care of Himself" and "got a good night's sleep," but that there's a time and a place when He needed an extra infusion of the Spirit for what He was facing. Yes, He was God, but perhaps the reason why He was able to succeed as a man was because He trusted in His Father enough to relax and fully and freely focus on, love and serve the people around Him, rather than obsessing over His own victory or (potential) failure.

So if you want to be like Jesus, if you want to be happy and free, relax in Him and allow Him to focus your life on other people. I believe that you will be surprised by how much a blessing this becomes to yourself and to others. You'll find yourself becoming a servant, like Jesus, but the freedom that you will find in this will be the true motivation to "be sweet."

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:4


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