Abiding in God’s Love VS God’s Judgment

 

Abiding in God’s Love VS God’s Judgment

1 John 4:16: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God abides in him.”

2 Cor. 5:10: “We must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ…” 

Category	Abiding in God’s Love	God’s Judgment
Meaning	● To abide in love is to abide in God, and God abides in us (1 John 4:16). ● Living a life that loves Christ and loves others with God’s own love, expressing Him. Scripture: — 1 John 4:16: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God abides in him.”	● All believers must be manifested before Christ’s judgment seat (2 Cor. 5:10). ● This judgment deals not with eternal salvation but with reward or punishment (1 Cor. 3:13–15; 4:5). Scripture: — 2 Cor. 5:10: “We must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ…” — 1 Cor. 3:13–15: “…each one’s work will be revealed… If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss…”
Difference	● Abiding in love = today’s living in God’s life and love. ● God’s love is perfected in us as we abide in it (1 John 4:17).	● Judgment is according to whether we lived in God’s perfected love (1 John 4:17–18). ● Fear remains where love is not perfected.
Cause / Reason	● God abides in us so we may love with His own divine love (1 John 4:16). ● Experiencing His love causes this love to be perfected in us.	● God judges according to each person’s work (2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Pet. 1:17). ● At His coming, believers must give account.
Result	● Love perfected in us (1 John 4:17). ● Boldness in the day of judgment (1 John 4:17). ● Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).	● Living in love → boldness and reward (2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Cor. 3:14). ● Not living in love → fear and possible punishment (1 John 4:18; Luke 12:46–47).
Examples	● Christ on earth lived out God as love; now He is our life enabling us to live the same (1 John 4:17). ● Paul constrained by Christ’s love (2 Cor. 5:14).	● The unfaithful servant punished (Luke 12:46–47). ● Works burned and suffering loss (1 Cor. 3:13–15).
Application	● Daily exercise loving others with God’s own love, not natural love (1 John 4:16). ● Live in organic union with God so His love is perfected in us.	● Live every day in view of the judgment seat (2 Cor. 5:10). ● Let the standard of every action be: “Does this abide in love?”
Burden	● God desires His love to be perfected in us, producing boldness before Him (1 John 4:17).	● All believers must appear before Christ’s judgment seat (2 Cor. 5:10). ● Reward or loss is based on whether love was perfected in us.
Prophetic Speaking Guidelines	● “Abiding in love is abiding in God.” (1 John 4:16) ● “Perfected love gives boldness in the day of judgment.” (1 John 4:17) ● “Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18)	● “We must all be manifested before the judgment seat.” (2 Cor. 5:10) ● “Judgment = reward or punishment, not salvation.” (1 Cor. 3:13–15) ● “Fear indicates love not perfected.” (1 John 4:18)

 

Conclusion: 

l   To abide in God’s love is to abide in God Himself, allowing His love to be perfected in us. Perfected love removes fear and gives us boldness before Christ’s judgment seat.

l   God’s judgment is righteous and unavoidable. The judgment seat reveals how much we lived in God’s love. Those perfected in love receive reward; others suffer loss.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training: General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7 - Extremely Important Aspects - Week 6: Be Perfect, Just as Perfect as Our Heavenly Father.