As humans everything we do is a response out of two things... fear and love. Every choice we make comes out of one of these two foundational emotions.
While I was on the 2008 Equality Ride, a common theme I heard out of the hundreds of students and community members opposed to our message of inclusion was, "aren't you afraid of going to hell?" When I was presented with this question I had to assess it then come to a conclusion.
After I was asked this question at a Assemblies of God school in Texas I came to a conclusion and I chose I was not going to be afraid of going to hell. My reason being is this, if I choose to accept Christ as my savior because I don't want to go to hell but heaven instead, then I have only accepted Christ out of fear because I want to save myself.
So... no... I am not afraid of going to hell. That question exposes the selfishness and fear which has come to be the very foundation for so many peoples relationship with Christ. A relationship based on fear and selfishness will never last. I believe this to be the main contributor to so many bitter, angry, and religious Christians. They have not yet fallen in love with Jesus and allowed that to be the foundation of their relationship with him.
I do not choose to be in a relationship with Jesus because I don't want to go to hell. I choose to be in a relationship with Christ because something about him has caught my attention. There has been a experience with him that I can't deny and I have to know him because I have fallen in love with him. This is why I pursue Christ. This is why I walk with Christ. Heaven is not my goal and hell is not my fear. To know and love Christ and share that with others in this life is my purpose and goal.
Assuming you do I'd like to ask... Why do you follow Christ?
Much love,
Azariah Southworth
