By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:17-18
"The one who has true love to God will have nothing to fear in the day of judgment, and may even approach the awful tribunal where he is to receive the sentence which shall determine his everlasting destiny without alarm." Barnes
In 1 John 4:17-18, we are shown the prospect of standing in confidence before God in the day of judgment, and we are told that this will only be possible because, according to the apostle John, as He is so are we in this world. This is astounding, that right now, we are not different from Jesus, because as He is so are we in this world. In Matthew 3:17, the Father said of the Son, "...This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." So, if in this world we are as Jesus is, then, we can with all confidence say that the Father is pleased with us also since we are in Him.
This, then, is our confidence in the day of judgment, that we will not be judged on the basis of our works, but we will stand on the merits of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross. We know that whoever resembles Jesus will not be brought to condemnation, and since we are like Him, therefore, there will be no condemnation for us who are in Christ Jesus. It is to this confidence of standing without fear of being condemned on the day of judgment that we are called. To reject such an offer will mean to bear the burden of your sin on yourself, and this is unthinkable.
Toni
