The great day of the Lord is near— near and coming quickly.

Zephaniah 1:14

This Advent season, I am reading a collection of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Christmas sermons. In one, he reminds us that throughout the Bible, talk of the Lord’s coming struck fear in the hearts of the original hearers. The prophets spoke of the day of God’s arrival as a day of reckoning. This is why Bonhoeffer would write, “The coming of God is not only a message of joy, but also fearful news for anyone who has a consience.”

Because all of us have sinned, the coming of the perfect Lord to judge and set right the evil in this world should rouse our souls from complacency. Yes, we want the Lord to make things right. To do so requires that he set us right, as well.

Fortunately for us, God’s judgment, if received with humility and faith, is not a verdict that destroys, but that saves. As God revealed to us in Jesus Christ, his ultimate posture toward us is one of love. His judgement is meant to set us free from sin. His aim is to redeem us not to destroy us.

How can our sins be forgiven? How can we be set right? Paul puts it succinctly, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

When we admit that we have sinned and humble ourselves before the Lord, he forgives us of our sin and makes us whole. Once we know that we have been forgiven, we can await his coming not in fear, but with peace.

Lord Jesus, as we await your second coming, we recognize our own sinfulness. We have sinned against one another. We have sinned against you. We thank you for taking our sins upon you that we might be clothed in your righteousness. By the power of your Spirit, help us to live holy lives until you return. Amen.

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