Judgment Began at the House of God 1 Peter 4:17

Peter the apostle shared extensively concerning “suffering” as a Christian, and as he continued writing to the “scattered” Christians in chapter four and verse seventeen of his letter, he shared concerning “judgment” beginning “at the house of God” where we read:

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

The verse begins, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:” Peter began with the word, “For” or “because and since” “the time” which means “due measure, hence, a fixed and definite time, opportune or seasonable time” “is come that judgment” which means “decree, condemnation of wrong and the decision which one passes on the faults of others” “must begin” or “be the first, chief, leader and ruler” “at the house” which refers to “the dwelling place and tabernacle” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Peter declared the “timing” for examination of the “church” was now, and for the Lord, there was no better place to “begin”.

The verse goes on to say, “and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” Peter added, “and if” or “and whether, forasmuch as and though” “it first begin” which means “” be the first, chief, leader and ruler “at us” which refers to Peter and the Christians who were “scattered”, “what shall the end be” or “the termination, limit at which a thing ceases to be, last in any succession or series, that by which a thing is finished, its close and aim” “of them that obey not” or “disobedient to, not allowing themselves to be persuaded of, refuse or withhold belief in” “the gospel” which means “the glad tidings of the kingdom of God soon to be set up, and subsequently also of Jesus the Messiah and founder of this kingdom” “of God” which refers to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Since judgment is to “begin” with the people who are believers in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, what is going to be “the end” for those who are unbelievers in Him?

When we meditate upon these words of Peter, we should understand the awesomeness of this verse. The very idea that God Almighty would “begin” to judge the church first should make all believers look at their lives and align them with the ways of God. Our speech, actions, activities and attitudes should reflect our belief and trust in Jesus as Savior. Also, this verse should make every unbeliever tremble. The implication is that the judgment will be even greater for those who do not believe in Jesus. May the Lord help us to know the gravity of these words which Peter has written and the Holy Spirit of God has inspired.

Next time Peter asks the “Christians” “if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear”, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.