Courage | January 24
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
I John 4:17-18
Jesus, if we were to visualize what it will be like to stand in Your presence on judgment day, will we feel bold? How can we possibly be bold before You, given our sin? We know the answer and the Apostle John affirms it; if we have sincerely and humbly sought to be as You Jesus, in this life, from the moment of rebirth forward, then we stand before You, wrapped in Your righteousness, not ours and that enables us to do so boldly.
Because of Your love for us and our response to that love, we will not experience the torment of fear and trembling nor grinding and gnashing of teeth, which is what You say will be the experience of those who do not love You.
You teach us that fear is a result of separation from You and that our boldness comes from our dependence upon You. How else could it be? Bless us this day, we pray. We pray in Jesus’ Holy name, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project