First Epistle of Peter
JUDGMENT ON THE HOUSE OF GOD
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:17 (KJV)
"judgment"
When the apostle here is speaking of the judgment that must first begin at the house of God, he is thinking of the trials and tribulations that his readers were already suffering and which were to become even more severe in the near future. Occasionally someone says, "Why do Christian seem to have more troubles than the wicked unsaved?" It is simply because children of God can expect to receive Fatherly correction. He permits these trials and troubles to come upon His own for various reasons, but always for their good and His glory. He will not permit a single unnecessary trial or trouble to come to His own. As He sees the need for correction, or purification, or whatever it may be, He permits the trial to come.
"begin at the house of God"
In Old Testament times the tabernacle and later the temple were called "the house of God". Sometimes today, we hear one call a church building or some meeting place of Christians by the same title. However, now, no building is the house of God. In these New Testament times the Spirit of God indwells every born again believer and Christians are the house of God. In Hebrews 3:6 we read, "and whose house are we". The Lord's people are now called "the temple of the living God" (2 Cor. 6:16). Anyway, how could judgment begin on a building? Here it obviously refers to the people of God.
As sons of God, we can expect chastisement in this world. In Hebrews 12:7 we read, "If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not?" Chastening is a proof that we are His sons.
God cannot tolerate evil, even in His own people. While it is true that Christ died for our sins and in Him we stand before the Lord justified, yet He will punish evil in His children. "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world" (1
Cor. 11:32). Ananias and Sapphira in Acts, Chapter 5, is a case where God meted out judgment to some of His own because of their sin.
Perhaps Peter was thinking of Ezekiel 9 when writing this verse. Wickedness in Jerusalem was great at that time and evil was practiced even in the temple. Here we have the Shekinah glory leaving the temple and God speaking judgment upon His people. He says in verse 6, "And begin at my sanctuary". We have a similar thought in Amos 3:2 and also Jeremiah 25:29.
Thank God it only begins with us. Satan would like to have it finish with us, but the Lord limits his power. He may rage and tear, but he can only go so far. He could only go so far with Job and he can only go as far with us as the Lord feels we need and deserve.
"what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"
We turn now from the judgment of the child of God to that of the unbeliever. What a serious question this is. It is not answered here. But he does not leave us in doubt as to the seriousness of their judgment. If the saved have to suffer so much, how much greater will the suffering of the unsaved be? Other portions tell us that for such there is no escape. Apart from obeying the gospel, there is no other way and apart from trusting and obeying Christ, being born again, they will lose everything. Ahead for them lies death, judgment and the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 gives an awful picture of the judgment of those that trouble Christians. For that reason, we need not seek revenge for anything done against us. Their time of reckoning is still coming. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Rom. 12:19).
The expression, "obey the gospel" is often found in the Scriptures; although usually it is "believe the gospel". The word to "believe" is often put in the command form. So then "to believe" is "to obey". The word "believe" in the New Testament has within it a sense of obedience. Believing is more than giving mental assent to truths about the Lord Jesus Christ. It is to definitely come to Him, to trust and obey Him with one's soul.
Not to obey the gospel is to disobey the plain command of God. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). To reject and disobey these plain commands is to suffer the righteous judgment of God.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:18 (KJV)
This verse is in some measure is a repetition of verse 17.
"the righteous"
"The righteous" does not speak of a special class of Christians. It is a general term applying to all saved ones. All are partakers of His righteousness. "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30). It is also generally supposed in the Word that the Christian lives a righteous life.
"scarcely be saved"
The word "scarcely" would be better translated "with difficulty" and certainly the obedient and faithful people of God will be saved, but not without difficulties. They do have their trials and troubles. Some have construed "scarcely" to mean that a faithful and obedient Christian has an uncertain salvation. This cannot be the meaning because it would bring disrepute on the ability of Christ to save those who have trusted and obeyed Him on this earth and that certainly is not true. Nor does it mean that those that trust and obey Him are just barely saved. It simply speaks of difficulties along the way.
There are three powerful enemies who make it difficult as we tread salvation's path. (1) First, there is the flesh within. This is perhaps the worst enemy. Christians often blame others or the devil for things that really spring forth from their own sinful lusts. (2) The world without is also a bad enemy. Sinners will sometime do their utmost to trip up and trouble the saint. They love sin and hate the Christian whose life and testimony condemns such evil ways. (3) Satan is a serious foe, too. Peter brings him up in the next chapter. Satan is neither the sinner's nor the Christian's friend. As he deceived Eve in the garden, so he still goes about peddling lies. Only in and through Christ will we be able to have the victory over these foes.
Some have thought that the difficulties here speak of those which our Lord encountered before He could save us. It is not difficult now for God to save the sinner who repents, but certainly it was not an easy task for Christ to provide it. The way of salvation could only be thought out by God Himself. There are opposing attributes of God that made it difficult for Him to save man. First, God is just and holy. Because of His holiness He cannot wink at sin. Because of His justice He must punish the sinner. But then, on the other hand, we have His love and mercy. In spite of man's sin, He still loved him although He hated the sin. How could He now justly manifest mercy to guilty man? How could He be just and yet justify the sinner? What was God going to do in this dilemma? We have Him asking Himself this question in Luke 20:13, "What shall I do?" We also have the answer there. "I will send my beloved son." So we see Him sending Christ to pay the penalty for man's sin. Christ had to be both man and sinless to pay for man's sin. Christ had to go through the difficulties of the cross in order to be our Savior. But now, because of Christ's work, God can "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Rom. 3:26). At the cross "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Ps. 85:10).
"where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
This is another one of those serious unanswered questions. If the Christian is saved with so much difficulty, both on the part of himself and also on the part of the Lord, what have the unsaved a right to expect? Both of these words, "ungodly" and "sinner," refer to every unsaved person. "Ungodly" means to be "without God" or perhaps "having no regard for God". If one did have any regard for God he would seek salvation. The word "sinner" means one "loving sin".
The Christian does not love sin, but may fall into it. A sinner loves it and revels in it. For the sake of decency, he may refrain from the vilest of sins, but nevertheless his heart is in it.
But where will the sinner appear? First he will appear where the rich man appeared. "And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments" (Luke 16:23). Later he will appear before the great white throne to be judged (Rev. 20:11). At last he will appear in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). Oh, the terribleness of not obeying the gospel of Christ and continuing on in one's sins without God.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:19 (KJV)
"let them that suffer according to the will of God"
This verse is a summing up of all the Apostle has said on the subject of the Christian suffering. He speaks of suffering "according to the will of God". In this verse he does not include those who suffer because of their own sins, but if anyone suffers because he is a Christian, he should commit the keeping of his soul to Him. In time past we suffered because we went on according to our own will, now we may suffer because we go on according to His will. It is nice to know that whether we suffer at the hands of men in the form of persecution or directly from His hand in the form of chastisement (Heb. 12), it is all according to His will. Wicked men cannot raise a finger against us apart from His will. Satan could not send those trials upon Job until the Lord said, "Go ahead". He could not put Peter through his sieve until the Lord permitted him. This should be a great consolation to every faithful Christian because no matter what comes, we can rest in Him. Certainly it is far better to suffer with Him a bit now, than to suffer apart from Him forever.
"commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing"
We should all commit ourselves into His hands. This we did when first we obeyed the Lord and were born again. We should trust and obey Jesus Christ throughout our life, especially when things appear to be going wrong. Then it is wise to just leave it in His hands. We are relieved of all worry by simply saying, like the saints did in Acts 21:14, "The will of the Lord be done". We demonstrate our trust in Him by not worrying. In time of trouble cling closely to Him – He will be near and carry you through. Even the Lord Jesus found it needful to do this. He said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit" (Luke 23:46).
The little expression "in well doing" reminds us again that only as we persevere in well doing can we commit our souls to Him. Only as we suffer without any cause on our part can we expect Him to be with us; to console and bless us in the midst of trouble. Let us be sure we are not suffering because of those things listed in verse 15 or any other evil we may commit.
"as unto a faithful Creator"
This expression "faithful Creator" should be a great encouragement to one who is suffering. "Faithful" tells of His dependability, while "Creator" tells of His power. It is a wonderful thing to have one on our side who is both dependable and powerful. We can depend on Him to keep every promise He ever made. Every word He ever spoke is absolutely true. We can bank on it to the uttermost and this is exactly what He desires.
Sad to say, too often we are like the disciples who were in the midst of a storm. They awakened Him in the boat and said, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:38). When all goes wrong, we begin to wonder if He really cares. But He does! And always has! He arose from His sleep that day and rebuked the wind and sea, saying, "Peace be still" and there was a great calm. Like the disciples, we often need the rebuke, "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40). This incident proved Him to be both "faithful" and the "Creator". The wind and sea will be obedient only to their maker.
Men make all kinds of promises, but do not keep them because they are neither dependable nor able. The Lord has made many and will keep everyone because He is both dependable and able. Some stumble over the Bible miracles. If the Lord could make this wonderful world, along with everything in the universe, He can certainly do as He pleases with it. And so too, He can make everything true to the good of those who love, trust and obey Him. He has made us, saved us, and will keep us to the praise, honor, and glory of His name.
