By “Only God will judge” is often used as an exemption from judgment. Instead, it should inspire either fear, or worship. Fear, for truly every person will stand before God and give account of all they’ve done. Or, worship, because we realise that God, though truly our Judge, has judged Christ Jesus in our place. (Both concepts present in Hebrews 9:27-28)
But, then there is a combined response to “only God will judge” that reflects both great anticipation for the judgment on the wicked, and great vindication on self for true righteousness.
The simple summary of such a response is given in Psalm 7:8
The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.
Psalm 7:8
How can we both love and invite the judgment of God? The rest of Psalm 7 gives the answer.
First, seek your own safety, not in yourself or in others more righteous than you, but in God Himself (Psalm 7:1-2).
Then confess all your own sin and affirm the just punishment for your sins (Psalm 7:3-5).
Pray that God will indeed be just, judging on the basis of personal wickedness and righteousness (Psalm 7:6-9).
Recognise that your safety on judgement day will ultimately not be your righteousness, but the righteousness of the Judge, and therefore your safety on judgment day is by taking refuge with the Judge Himself (Psalm 7:10-17).
It is only those who accept God’s righteousness who will be shielded from the judgment of God on judgment day.