Loving God Instead of Fearing God 

We were not born in perfection but in an evolving universe. As we transitioned from animals into humans who are now hoping to ascend into God's universe, that's progress! This is the positive direction our celestial friends are working with us to achieve, influencing every aspect of our lives. Our progress is gradual and steady.

We inherited fear from animals. Early fears of ghosts propelled us toward a concept of God, which later fostered ceremonies and improved behavior – the onset of wisdom. Initially driven by fear, humanity progressed through dreams, ghosts, charms, sacrifices, and rituals to the concept of a divine son, from fear and dread to awe, reverence, and love. Misunderstandings about God's works naturally induce fear of such a powerful being. Jesus introduces a significant change, revealing God as a loving father. Thus, religion evolves.

One evening, Philip asked Jesus why the scriptures instruct us to fear the Lord while Jesus encourages us to view the Father without fear. Jesus explained that early humans could only learn reverence through fear, driving themselves into arduous service to a jealous and wrathful King God. Jesus came to demonstrate the relationship he shares, showcasing his Father’s overwhelming love, which he reciprocates. Jesus and the Father desire the same bond with each of us. The more we learn about the Father, the more we are drawn into the joy and freedom of loving him for who he truly is. God is inherently kind, wonderfully compassionate, and merciful, overflowing with love for his children.

It should feel natural to love such a good and perfect Father. Jesus' incarnation aims for us to understand and experience this transformative relationship.

Ideally, we strive to reflect God's character in our human actions, embodying the divine within us. In God's family, where we are acknowledged as sons and daughters, we find the perfect model of love and affection that guides our earthly families. Intelligent children do not fear their father to receive his gifts; they receive blessings simply because he loves them, and they respond by loving him in return. We are drawn to God in recognition and appreciation of his attributes. It is God’s goodness that inspires us to repent, his generosity that motivates us to serve, his mercy that ensures our salvation, and his love that elevates us into intelligent and joyous worship.

An all-powerful Creator may initially inspire fear in mortals, yet his nobility and righteousness evoke reverence, love, and willing worship. An obedient and affectionate son does not fear even a strong and noble father. We should praise the Infinite for his nature rather than fear him for his power and mystery. As our understanding brightens, we will trust our heavenly father more fully and feel secure in his loving care. Jesus came to transform our fear into love, our sorrow into joy, our dread into confidence, and replace slavish rituals with loving service and thankful worship.

From childhood to adulthood, our understanding and appreciation of our parents evolve. Initially, as children, we are taught to honor our parents. Over time, as we witness their support, sacrifices, and teachings, our respect and affection grow, leading us to love them for who they truly are. Just as a father’s love for his children is natural, our love for our father develops, starting from fear of the father's authority, moving through awe and dependence, and maturing into deep, affectionate esteem.

Religion has traditionally taught that human's whole duty is to fear God and keep his commandments. Those who followed this teaching helped to elevate our world's moral standards. Jesus introduces a new and higher commandment: to love God and learn to do his will, which is the greatest privilege of the liberated children of God. This commandment signifies a profound transformation, requiring a shift from fearing God as an almighty king to loving him as an all-merciful Father. This change fosters a sense of fraternity both in our heavenly relationship and in our earthly interactions.

While we use the familiar term "kingdom," it is important to clarify that there is no singular, exalted king on a throne ruling the universe. The concept of the "kingdom of heaven" transcends this analogy, representing a more profound and inclusive realm where a fraternity of intelligent beings forms a divine family. Jesus is the Son of God the Father, and we are also his sons and daughters. Our Father is universally acknowledged and wholeheartedly worshiped as the central figure and leader of this family. The accurate portrayal of this kingdom is that of a family with a loving father at its head. Rather than fearing God as a king or serving him as a master, we should revere him as our Creator, honor him as our spiritual Father, love him as a merciful defender, and ultimately worship him as the loving and wise Father of our mature spiritual understanding and appreciation.

The flawed notion of the Father as a feared monarch has led to misguided perceptions of humility, breeding hypocrisy and the adoption of ostentatious, meaningless displays of humility. These acts often stem from a desire for attention and a misguided sense of superiority. Jesus observed that the Father rejects pride, hypocrisy, and wrongdoing. He referenced the Prophet Jeremiah, who criticized those who appear devout in speech but are distant in their hearts. He also mentioned priests and prophets who, motivated by personal gain, profess to speak for God while their hearts pursue conflicting interests. Many profess a desire for peace while harboring hate or use flattery for personal advantage. One of the deepest sorrows a trusting soul may endure comes from betrayal within the supposed safety of a friend’s home.

While humans may originate from the dust, when indwelt by the Father’s spirit, they are destined for divinity. Many are aware of the heavenly Father’s spirit residing within. The indwelling spirit of God and the Spirit of Truth that Jesus bestowed upon us guides the eternal ascension career ahead. The bestowed spirit of the heavenly Father will naturally return to its divine source and universal origins. The human soul, reborn through this indwelling spirit, ascends to the very presence of the eternal Father.

God cherishes a contrite heart and a humble spirit. Jesus stressed the importance of complete honesty and perfect trust in the loving support and faithful guidance of our inner spirit. Like a small child who grabs their parent’s hand and leads them, unsure of the destination but confident of their good intent, the Father similarly guides us through the unseen and unimaginable spiritual realities of the kingdom.

Jesus considered this transition from fear to love fundamental in bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth. "Fear not" was his watchword. When he ordained his apostles, he warned them that they would be hated, but fear not, for I will be with you. In his first sermon in the synagogue, Jesus read from the Scriptures, "And I will hold your right hand, saying to you, fear not, for I will help you." Jesus corrected the false notion that we should fear God on the premise that he would punish a nation for the sin of an individual or his children for the sins of a nation.

To people that Jesus met, he offered hope in the new kingdom of the spirit and ended their fear. When Jesus spoke to the sick and ailing, he encouraged them and said when the time of judgment shall come, fear not, for you shall find not only justice but an abundance of mercy. When Jesus met the young man who was afraid, he turned him around into a new and courageous life, telling him to bid farewell to cringing fear. To a condemned criminal in his last hour, Jesus told him that he did not need to fear the eternal judge if his repentance was genuine and sincere in faith.

When Jesus discussed religions with Gonod, he explained the Jewish people are piteously enslaved to the fear of a God without a saving philosophy of life and liberty. Their religion is motivated by fear-consciousness. The new gospel of the kingdom is dominated by truth-conviction, the spirit of eternal and universal truth. Jesus reminds us that believing in this gospel is not a guarantee to circumvent trouble, but it does help guide us to be unafraid when confronted with trouble.