1 Peter 1:17-20

“If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile.” vs. 17

From Peter’s perspective the people to whom he was writing were like exiles, people living in a land that was not their own who had been united by their invocation of God as Father. Here he also implies that one day their God will judge all people impartially according to their deeds. Because they have such a God he implores them to live in reverent fear during the time of their exile.

For those who have come to trust in God’s compassion and mercy these words can spark a feeling of discomfort. The broken can even begin to wonder if there really is unconditional forgiveness for all of their sins–they wonder if grace is enough. That feeling is not uncommon among people of  faith and even long-time believers can  have a sense of foreboding about impending judgment.

Sadly there are pastors and religious leaders who take advantage of that uneasiness in their attempt to encourage morality within their assigned flock. They reason that a reverent fear will keep people on the straight and narrow path that will bring them to salvation. Now it’s certainly true that we are called to fear and love God above all else. That’s a given! But Peter never intended that fear to undermine our reliance on God’s unconditional love. He had learned from experience that even denying Jesus three times was covered by Amazing Grace.

Thought for the Day: When have I worried about judgment day?