Answer
The Bible confirms that all people are guilty in God’s sight and deserve His wrath and punishment for sin (Psalm 51:3-5; Romans 3:9-26). However, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, God provides the means of removing our guilt and fear of punishment (Isaiah 53:10-12; Hebrews 9:14; John 1:29). Jesus’ death and resurrection opened the way for believers to experience the blessings and freedom of being in a right relationship with God «For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.», (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christians can stop fearing God’s wrath and punishment because the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, cleanses them from all sin (Hebrews 10:11-14; 1 John 1:7).
Satan is “a liar and the father of lies” «Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. », (John 8:44). He is “the accuser of our brothers” who “accuses them day and night before our God” «And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. », (Revelation 12:10, ESV). Our adversary, the devil, tries to separate us from God with unfounded fears about wrath, judgment, and punishment. However, fear is one of Satan’s snares to render us ineffective and unproductive in God’s kingdom (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Believers can overcome the fear of God’s wrath and the burden of guilt because “now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” « There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. », (Romans 8:1, NLT). Jesus sacrificed His life to silence the voice of our accuser. Satan can no longer accuse us (Romans 8:33-34). The apostle Paul affirms, “For God himself has granted us right standing with himself. Who then can condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is seated in the place of honor at God’s right hand, interceding for us. . . . Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from . . . the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39).
Once a person repents and is saved, they still have to face temptation and evil «If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. », (1 John 1:8). However, Scripture assures us, “If we confess our sins [to God], he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:8-9; NLT; see also Proverbs 28:13). A Christian no longer must live with a guilty conscience “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”, (Hebrews 10:22). Nevertheless, believers must be prepared for an ongoing, lifelong battle with temptation and sin (Romans 7:14-25; see also 1 John 1:8).
Thankfully, Jesus understands our weaknesses, and He and the Holy Spirit act as our heavenly attorneys, interceding continuously on our behalf before God (Romans 8:26-27, 34; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:27; 1 John 2:1-2). We are also given God’s armor to wear (Ephesians 6:11-20; Romans 13:12) as we “fight the good fight of the faith” “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”, (1 Timothy 6:12). When we fall short of the mark, we confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness. Christ’s blood has already paid the price for all our offenses, past, present, and future (1 Peter 1:18-19; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 John 2:2).
Sanctification is not instantaneous but a work in progress (2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). The Christian life is mMeant to be “a living and holy sacrifice” (Romans 12:1-3) by which God transforms us gradually into the likeness of His Son (Philippians 3:12-14;Ephesians 4:15;1 Thessalonians 4:3-7;Hebrews 12:14;2 Peter 3:18).
It is fitting for Christians to possess a healthy, respectful, and reverent fear of God and His holiness (1 Samuel 12:24;Proverbs 1:7;Hebrews 12:28-29;Revelation 14:7). However, we need not dread His divine wrath and punishment, which are reserved for the ungodly, disobedient, and wicked who reject God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ (Romans 1:18-20;Matthew 25:31-33, 41-45;Ephesians 5:6;Colossians 3:6;2 Peter 2:4-9).
Christians can cease fearing God’s wrath and punishment because His perfect love dispels fear «There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. », (1 John 4:18). The Lord’s forgiveness, compassion, and mercy are boundless and everlasting for those who place their faith and trust in Him (Exodus 34:5-7;Nehemiah 9:16-17;Isaiah 43:25;Micah 7:18-20;Philippians 3:13-14). Believers can rejoice and find peace in Christ’s comforting promise: “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life.
They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”, (John 5:24, NLT).