Do I really love God, or do I just want heaven and fear hell?

The fact that you're worried about your motives doesn't mean your love for God is fake.

Most people don't come to God with perfectly pure motives. We may want forgiveness, hope, help, heaven—or simply be afraid of death and hell.

Christianity doesn't ask you to pretend those motives aren't there.

But it does invite you to grow beyond them.

Jesus describes the greatest command as loving God with your whole heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37). Love like that usually develops through knowing someone; it isn't something you can force yourself to feel instantly.

So instead of endlessly asking “Are my motives pure enough?”, a better question may be:

“Am I learning to know and love God for who he is?”

Fear might be part of where your journey started.

It doesn't have to be where it ends.