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The Code of Conduct for United States Judges outlines the ethical guidelines that must be followed if you want to be a judge in the United States. Several rules specifically address how a judge should treat members of his/her family. For example, a judge must not preside over cases involving his children. We understand this, don’t we? A judge can hardly be expected to be impartial when his son or daughter is on trial.

Christians know that God is their Father. Most Christians also understand that God is their Judge. Most of us also know that on Judgment Day He is not going to recuse Himself from presiding over our case. We know these things, but I think many of us expect God to give us special treatment on Judgment Day. After all, we’re His kids. But look carefully at 1 Peter 1:17, And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.

Here’s what Peter is saying: God is an impartial judge. Yes, He’s your Father. But He’s also your Judge. And He’s a perfect Judge. He will uphold perfect justice. So fear God during your exile.

Wait a minute! I thought I thought Jesus died so we don’t have to be judged? Isn’t judgment only for those who don’t believe in Jesus?  Scripture is clear that everyone will appear before God as their Judge. Everyone.

Ecclesiastes 12:14—For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Romans 14:10-12—Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; (11) for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (12) So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

2 Corinthians 5:10—For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Revelation 20:11-13—Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. From His presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. (12) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.

  If you’re not a Christian, read carefully: you will appear before God as your Judge. The fact that you don’t believe in this God doesn’t matter. You may not know anything about Judge Richard Rizk, and you may even deny his existence. But if you break the law in this town, you will appear before Judge Rizk’s court and you will be judged regardless of what you believe. The same is true with God. Whether you believe in Him or not, whether you follow Him or not, you will face Him as your Judge. Today He invites you to repent and believe in Him so you can be adopted into His family.

If you’re a Christian, you may be wondering why any of that matters. If God is going to judge me anyway, and He’s going to be an impartial judge, why does it matter if I’m His child? How will my judgment be any different?

Notice carefully how Peter describes this judgment. God is judging “according to each one's deeds.” That’s incredibly good news! Why? Because that means your eternal destiny is secure! Your deeds have nothing to do with whether you are God’s child, so when you appear before your impartial Judge, your eternal destiny is not at stake! If your faith is in Christ, you will spend eternity with God in heaven. There is an inheritance waiting for you that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading! That’s good news! So fear the God who is your impartial judge.