The Fear of God
(His role as Righteous Judge)

​​​​​God Is Both Father and Judge - But Not on the Same Seat
 

Many people love the thought of God as Father, Friend, and Comforter - and rightly so. Scripture assures us of His love, nearness, and mercy. But it is equally true - and urgently important - to understand that He is also Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25), and His court is holy, just, and final.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) and wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), and that fear becomes most real when we understand that one day we must all stand before God’s court. Hebrews 10:31 declares: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
 

Why Do We Call a Judge “Your Honor” instead of Mr., Ms., Your Highness etc?

 

Judges are addressed as “Your Honor” because they operate in the realm of moral and legal authority - not royalty or friendship. In the same way, God, when acting as Judge, is to be reverenced in His judicial role, not approached casually.

Why Courtrooms Command Fear (Not Casualness)
 

Think of a natural courtroom. When a judge enters, the bailiff announces, "All rise!" and everyone rises. The environment shifts. Silence falls. The weight of consequences is felt. You wouldn’t eat, drink, chew gum, scroll your phone, or crack jokes before a judge deciding your future. Why? Because that judge carries authority, finality, and power.

Now multiply that fear and reverence by infinite holiness, justice, and omniscience - and you begin to understand why God’s court inspires holy fear. Nothing can be hidden. Every idle word is recorded (Matthew 12:36). Every secret thought is exposed (Hebrews 4:13). There is no bribery, loophole, or mistrial.

Why It’s Called “Judgment Day” — Not Father’s Day, Family Day or Friendship Day
 

Though God is our Father (Romans 8:15) and Friend (John 15:15), Judgment Day is not the time for relational titles - it’s the time for legal reckoning. Just as your natural father may also be a police officer, surgeon, or judge - there are times when his role overrides the relationship in a moment of duty.
 

• It’s not Father’s Day, because it’s not about nurturing - it’s about justice.

• It’s not Friendship Day, because it’s not about companionship - it’s about accountability.

• It’s Judgment Day, because it is the day appointed for eternal verdicts.

Acts 17:31 (KJV) declares: “Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained…”

The Thought of Judgment Day Brings Dread - Why?
 

Judgment Day brings dread to many hearts because:

1. Our conscience knows it’s real, whether we're saved from God's wrath or not (Romans 2:15)
2. We instinctively fear exposure. No masks. No hiding.
3. We fear the consequences of our actions. Hebrews 9:27: “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
4. We doubt our standing before the Judge. Those not in Christ rightly fear wrath, while even some believers struggle to rest in grace because they treat holiness lightly.

But the dread can be turned into confidence through the Blood of Jesus, who pleads our case and silences every accusation.

Balance: The Fear of God and the Grace of God
 

Think of a coin: it has a front side that is completely different from its back. Yet it is the same coin whether face up or down. Likewise, the fear of God and the grace of God are two different things, yet the same God.  Just like when a coin is flipped, the "heads" is not more or less important than the "tails" in its value, so the fear of God does not cancel the grace of God - it magnifies it. When we understand how severe and final God’s judgment is, we marvel all the more at the mercy He has extended to us through Christ.
 

• Fear of God keeps us sober.

• Grace keeps us safe.

• Justice makes the Gospel glorious.

Key Scriptures:

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• Genesis 18:25 — “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

• Ecclesiastes 12:14 — “For God shall bring every work into judgment…”

• 2 Corinthians 5:10 — “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…”

• Hebrews 12:28-29 — “Serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.”