Those of us called Christians identify with Jesus. Persuaded that He is Savior and Lord, we’re willing to suffer for Him.
What reward do we receive for our loyalty? According to the apostle Peter, it’s judgment!
“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ 19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” – 1 Peter 4:17-19
Does Peter promise God’s judgment on Christians already suffering for being Christian? It sounds like the Lord is piling pain on top of pain!
If we take this passage one verse at a time, we’ll see the apostle has something else in mind.
Verse 17 – Judgment
Yes, judgment is the subject of this verse. Peter treats it in an expansive fashion. Both Christians and non-Christians will face judgment. And lest anyone suppose Peter isn’t serious, he removes all doubt. It’s time–now–for judgment to begin.
Yet Jesus hasn’t returned; we don’t see evil vanquished; sin still saturates this world. But Peter claims judgment has commenced.
With the church.
But this has a twist.
The preposition translated “with” is apo which means “from.” So is God planning on judging the world through the church? Are we His instruments of punishment?
The answer has to do with what this preposition conveys. According to Jeffrey E. Allen and Donna M. Allen, Seventh Thunder: Restore My Authority Over Cities (Xulon Press, 2006), 90, this preposition “implies that God’s judgment will begin with, then come out of and away from the house of God. The judgment out of and away from the house of God follows the cleansing and separation which must first take place in His house” (emphasis in original).
How does God judge believers at the present time? He allows the world to persecute us: mockery, bullying, social distancing, economic deprivation, incarceration, and physical mistreatment. God doesn’t cause these; but when we suffer abuse, our allegiance to Jesus is being tested.
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – 1 Peter 1:6-7
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” – 1 Peter 4:12
God isn’t causing the trials, but He’s using them to reveal and strengthen our faith in Christ. It’s tempting to conform to society’s demands, but the Spirit encourages us to remain true to the Lord.
Vs. 18 – Difficulty
Peter’s no fool; he knows by his own experience endurance isn’t easy (see Luke 22:54-62). To reinforce this point, he quotes Proverbs 11:31.
What makes it hard to follow Jesus? How does the world pressure us to drift from Him? It threatens us. Consider the cruelty exhibited on social media platforms. Failing to agree with the amorphous values and standards of the world is like asking for a beating. Their judgments are harsh, rooted in hatred. As columnist Kevin Williamson observes, “They do not desire to hurt people because they hate them — they hate them because they desire to hurt people. What we call ‘cancel culture’ is very little more than free-floating sadism in search of a target.” When society decides to cancel the church, what will we do? Cave in to the mob or stand with Jesus?
Hard choices.
Vs. 19 – Control
But we’re not hopeless. Peter dares to suggest that at these times, we’re suffering according to God’s will. He’s repeated this idea several times throughout his letter.
“For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” – 1 Peter 2:19-21
“For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” – 1 Peter 3:17
“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.” – 1 Peter 4:1-2
“But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” – 1 Peter 4:13
“However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” – 1 Peter 4:16
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:8-10
God doesn’t want us to suffer, but in a fallen world, righteous living gets challenged. When that happens, the Lord delights in our faithfulness to His Son.
We will succeed only when we entrust our souls–our personality and character–to God. In this way, we won’t allow the world to pressure us into adopting its beliefs. We’ll have enough strength because the God whom we trust is the Maker of heaven and earth. He has all power. He remains in control of our lives, even when the world is falling apart. God is in charge!
The world might disapprove of our good deeds, but God never will. When we do what is right, we promote Jesus and show people a better way to live. How they respond is up to them, but we should never compromise the gospel. It’s the only way of salvation for people before time runs out and they face judgment.
No matter the hostility we encounter, let’s stay committed to Jesus Christ.
The judgment has begun.
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