But why is fear a worse motivation for self interest than another? Consider four real cases:The topic under discussion is whether such a salvation would be genuine. If a person was motivated in part by fear, then they retain enough selfishness that they are arguably not saved. On the other hand, maybe all people invariably retain a finite amount of selfishness, and we are saved only if we succeed in reaching a certain threshold of "how little" selfishness remains.
R.. is a very wealthy businessman. One day he was on a flight and a "Left Behind" book was on his seat. He read it and as he said later "it scared the hell" out of him. He became a Christian.
K.. is an elderly retired man. He determined to become a Christian, as he said, because "he didn't want to miss the bus".
W.... is a man who has struggled from a life long weakness from alcohol that almost destroyed his life. One day a co-worker told him he needed Jesus to escape his problem with the bottle. He has become a devout Christian.
M...... heard of how Jesus died for her sins and was motivated to become a Christian.
All these persons came to Jesus for "sake of self". How is one any better than another?