17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
1 Peter 1:17

In this verse we see two major doctrines at play: impartiality and the fear of God.

As a perfect Judge, God is impartial in whatever He does. He has a standard and if that standard is not met, he can and will judge.

As believers, we understand this. It is easy to get into a cavalier mindset where our sins are forgiven, so what’s the problem?

That’s where having a reverent fear of God is not only healthy but required. God’s holiness is not to be trifled with. As Jesus said told the tempter himself quoting Scripture, “Don’t put the Lord your God to the test.”

Fortunately, God doesn’t “zap” us every time we go astray or don’t have reverent fear for Him.

Our disrespect for His grace and righteousness does not diminish His love for us because that is in His nature, but it certainly doesn’t please Him.

Often, we forget about His great sacrifice and we do things our way. May this be the reminder we need to press in daily, hourly even.

“Come close to God and He will come close to you.”