You responded: But it does make a difference. It affects us how we believe and what we believe, and how we tailor our lives in that belief.
Perhaps. The idea of separation from God with Hell should be obvious, whether one can think abstractly or prefers anthropomophic language. In either case, a person should fear that separation.
Regards
Jo, our premises are how we pray and how we believe. If one believes that God has from all eternity predestined everyone to either be saved or damned, then his or her life will be very much affected by such formulation.
Likewise, if one believes that Christ's sacrifice paid for all our debts past, present and future, then his or her attitude towards sin will reflect that belief.
I am sure you clearly recognize how seriously such beliefs affect the way some people believe and how they go through life. For, if they have been condmened before they were even born, what incentive will they have to cling to God?
And, if they feel that Christ "paid my bill," what incentive will one have not to sin? After all, no matter what I do, then, the bill is paid!
But, the scriptre tells us on more than one occasion that we will be judged for our deeds. If they were 'paid for" what's the point of judgment? If we have been 'saved' from all eternity, why the judgment?
Deeds require work, so if we are judged on what we do, then all is not paid for, or forgiven. Rather, God gives everyone a chance to redeem himself, even as unworthy as our attempts may be, to do so thanks to Christ's sacrifice.
Work is required because faith-based work is our repentance. The debt we owe cannot be repaid. But God is willing to forgive and forget, if we go about our lives in repenetance.