Many people are afraid of judgment day. They’re not entirely sure if they’ll get the green light to walk through the gates of heaven. They wonder: “What if I’ve messed up somewhere …?” 

I also sometimes experience some unease — that little voice in the back of my head whispering: Wasn’t I perhaps too sinful? Didn’t I perhaps leave out something important that will count against me? 

I think we easily fall into this way of thinking because we believe that it depends on our actions whether the doors of heaven will be open or closed. But let’s be honest — if it depended on us, none of us would’ve made it. Then there would’ve been iron gates with locks and chains that would never be opened. 

But here’s the good news: Jesus cut open those locks and chains Himself on Golgotha with His blood. At that moment, the whole story of the world changed. God’s incredible love made it possible for ordinary sinners like you and me to go to heaven… hop, skip and jump! 

17This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. 

As I sat next to my cousin and talked about his funeral, there was no fear. He knew his time was near. And let’s be honest — we all know that death is a reality. We just don’t know when it’s going to happen. 

But my cousin was calm because he knew where he was going. Yes, he had his faults like any other person, but he knew that didn’t disqualify him. He wasn’t stressed about what was coming because he knew that Jesus had already done everything that was needed. The gates of heaven are open. 

And then I realised again: this grace we receive for free is not cheap. It must awaken something in us. Our lives must show that we understand what we have received. We must live as Jesus lived on earth. 

You can’t hear this truth and just stay silent. Knowing that your place is ready takes away the fear. And when fear is out of the way, you live more lightly. We need to share this with people who are struggling hard in life. People carry unnecessary fears — a burden of uncertainty about what’s coming. But often, that fear comes from ignorance. And what about us? We have the knowledge, the hope, the truth. And can you imagine how much it could mean to someone if we shared it with them? 

Corrie ten Boom put it like this:  “The love of God casts out fear, for where love dwells, there is no place for fear, only the perfect rest of His grace.” 

Let’s make this our life motto. Let’s cast out fear with love wherever we go. Through wisdom and with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, let’s lead people to discover inner peace. Then they will no longer fear judgment day, because they know Who has taken their place. 

Scripture
1 John 4:7-21 

Reflection
Do you sometimes fear that the gates of heaven will be closed to you?
How do you live the grace that Jesus gives?
Who can you help not to be afraid? 

Prayer
Jesus, thank you that I don’t need to fear that the gates of heaven will be closed to me. Help me tell this wonderful news to my friends and family. Amen.