1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
I read about a judge who gave people in his courtroom for DUI two choices. They could enroll in an alcohol treatment program or carry a sign on their backs in the courtyard, stating, "I am guilty of a DUI." Most people took the first choice. The reason for this was most likely; they were concerned about what people would think if they saw them carrying a sign that informed everyone, they were guilty as a drunk driver.
How many Christians do you think would be willing to walk around outside the church with a sign on their back that read, "I'm a Christian, but I don't study my Bible." How about a sign that let all know, "I'm a Christian, but I gossip, I tell all I know about people." Most certainly, no one would relish the thought of carrying a sign that informs the world of our shortcomings as a Christian. The reason for that is that we are concerned about what people think about us and how people might judge us. When we fail in our Bible study, when we allow our prayer life to weaken, when we can't wait to get on the phone and tell the latest gossip, we are carrying a sign on our hearts for God to see. Unfortunately, the concern about being judged by other people sometimes overrides the concern of being judged by our Lord and Savior, which evaluates each person's work impartially (1 Peter 1:17).
The followers and believers in Christ Jesus know that God will fairly judge all people that will reverence and esteem God and His assessment of their lives. Moreover, those that have surrendered to Christ Jesus will live their lives in a manner that would bring honor and glory to Christ Jesus and allow ourselves to be an excellent reflector for His light that shines before a lost, dark, and dying world. Our primary concern should be that we live our lives in a manner that we might be a good reflector for God's light to shine on the world around us. However, what is more important is that we live our lives in a manner that would be pleasing to our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.
Many falsely believe that God answers our prayers because He is impressed by some good works we have done. Just because we might have impressed some humans in this life does not mean that God is impressed with us. God hears and answers our prayers because of who He is, not who we are or what we may or may not have done. God responds to our prayers because of His great love, grace, and mercy (Hebrews 4:16).
This life is but a vapor that will soon disappear (James 4:14); however, there is a life to come that will never end. Therefore, people's analysis of us in this short time we are here is of diminutive importance, but what is of more significant concern is that one day we hear the words, well done, my good and faithful servant.
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