"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
As a child I asked Jesus into my heart because I was afraid of going to hell if I died. As a teenager I followed the rules for fear of the consequences. As a parent I realized how awesome it is when the little ones did what I asked because they loved and trusted their Mama rather than because they dreaded punishment.
When we serve God because we're scared of what will happen otherwise, we aren't truly surrendered to God, we are surrendered to fear. Don't reduce Christianity to mere avoidance of sin. Christianity is being so close to God that we ask Him, hear Him, obey Him, and trust Him. When we serve God because we love Him, we begin to experience freedom and joy like never before.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19 (NKJV)
Are you serving the Lord in fear, or in faith?
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