For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV
My relationship with Carol grew over a number of years from a casual pastor-congregant relationship to dearly connected friends through many long talks together, counseling mingled with prayer and weeping. She had been raised in a religious home centered on condemnation and fear. She struggled with mental health issues that grew instead of diminished over the years. Her beloved father died tragically and suddenly when she was a child, and too soon she had an unpleasable, demanding stepfather. She married early, the first boy she dated, and soon discovered she had given herself to a younger version of her stepdad. Self-condemnation dogged her daily. Any joy that entered her life evaporated quickly in the criticism from both inside and outside voices. Carol was hospitalized frequently by the fears that paralyzed her daytime actions and haunted her nighttime dreams. She could not trust her salvation, confessing over and over and asking forgiveness for any minute misstep she thought might have offended God. Seeing God as Father was far from comforting to her.
Her greatest fear was facing the judgment seat of God. She had been assured many times that she would be judged by God and was afraid she would be told heaven was not her home. We talked and she finally believed that the Great White Throne Judgment was for the final encounter with God for those who had rejected Him. Her salvation was settled. But she still couldn’t comprehend facing Him for any reason and was overcome with anxiety.
But her loving Father settled that for her. One day after her release from another stay in the psychiatric ward she called me with an excitement that sounded healthy and joyful. “Can I come talk to you and tell you what happened?” Soon she was in my office with peaceful eyes and a joyful heart, telling me that Jesus had come to her in a dream.
“He was so … so beautiful and kind. I can’t describe it. But He told me, ‘Lisa, do not fear. I have saved you with my own blood. You are everlastingly mine. Do not fear my judgment. You will not simply face me; I will be with you. I will put my arm around your shoulder and together we will look at your life choices since you became my follower, through my eyes and purposes. We will rejoice at your faithfulness and how the Father used you, and we will recognize the places where you chose your own way. Don’t fear. YOU are deciding right now what that experience will be. I want to help you choose well. Walk close to me.” With glistening eyes she declared, “I can do that! I will not be afraid!”
- We can do that too! There is no need to fear. When the King is our focus and priority here, we will be able to face Him with joyful confidence, without fear, there. We can hear and know, “Well done.”