Feeling entirely secure from punishment and despairing entirely of mercy are opposing extremes. The first treats a person as beyond accountability; the second imagines forgiveness to be closed to them.
Fear reminds a servant of shortcomings, while hope keeps the servant turned toward divine mercy. Neither should be expanded so far that the other disappears.
The balanced way is to fear the consequences of wrongdoing without abandoning hope in mercy.
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The Balanced Path and Integrity of Belief
Feeling entirely secure from punishment and despairing entirely of mercy are opposing extremes. The first treats a person as beyond accountability; the second imagines forgiveness to be closed to them.
Fear reminds a servant of shortcomings, while hope keeps the servant turned toward divine mercy. Neither should be expanded so far that the other disappears.
The balanced way is to fear the consequences of wrongdoing without abandoning hope in mercy.