The Father’s Lap

“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work,

conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;

knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things

like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from you forefathers,

but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

1 Peter 1:17-19

If God is your Father, you have been born again into His family. These verses are addressed to Christians. This is important because of the next few words that talk about God impartially judging each one’s work. These are not works unto salvation–It is assumed that you are already saved. But as a child of God, you will be judged according to your works here on earth. Impartially judged means that there are no pets in God’s kingdom. We are each to be obedient to the word of God and the voice of the Holy Spirit. Will you receive crowns of faithfulness, endurance, grace at the final judgment?

Fear of the Lord is not only a reverential awe of Who God is. There should also be a real fear of appraisal as a child fears the discipline of a faithful father. This fear should lead us to draw closer to God that we might know His ways and hear His voice that we might obey. Understanding the price paid for our salvation will help us to remember that we owe our very existence and eternity to Jesus because of His sacrifice. This should be our motivator to living a life not of law, but of of loving obedience. We will walk on streets with paving stones of gold. They are but dirt in comparison to the glory of knowing God!

May you walk this day drawing closer to your Savior and God.

Hannah calls my son, Ethan, Father. She is always welcome in his lap!