2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
The terror of the Lord is fearful knowledge grounded in the day of judgment, when sins that remain unconfessed and unpardoned stand registered against the sinner. Then the guilty will not stand in a favorable light before the great Intercessor, for God is as faithful in His threatenings as in His promises and will not be trifled with. Knowing that terror compels His workers to persuade men everywhere to repent.
The persuasion described means beseeching people rather than compelling or commanding them. This persuasion is a gift used by Christ's followers to win souls to Him, and their efforts bear fruit when Christ works together with His messengers. Paul exemplifies this as a self-denying Christian who spent his life persuading people to turn from sin to righteousness.
This knowledge leaves no room for indolence or drowsy watchmen in the stern conflict between the Prince of life and the prince of darkness. It requires urgent warnings even if those warned do not heed them until after the warner has died and is silent in the grave. The urgent appeal calls sinners to confess their mistakes and sins, to make straight paths for their feet and straighten their conduct, and to choose whom they will serve.