“By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment.” (1 John 4:17)
“Judgment Day” — not exactly a topic one associates with love. The idea of a judging and punishing God inspires fear and awe. And rightly so, because the Bible tells us that on the Day of Judgment, the Lord Jesus will come “in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8) These people “will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might.” (2 Thessalonians 1:9) What a terrible prospect!
But for believers, the day of God’s judgment is good news. If we know God’s love, it can dispel our fear. Since the Lord Jesus Himself bore the punishment for our sins, we are innocent in His eyes. We can come into God’s presence “in full assurance of faith,” and we will not be condemned.
God remains great and holy. Every right-thinking person has deep respect for Him. But fear is unnecessary if we know Him as our loving Father.
Do you know God in this way? What does the thought of appearing before His throne evoke in you?