17 For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the ungodly and sinners?
19 So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good.
| For Christians first, then others |
vs. 17 - "starting with the house of God" - We are judged first (Judgement Seat of Christ). See: 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10. Consider this, if we, as the children of God are to be judged, think of what it will be like for those who refused to accept Christ as their personal savior. This judgement (JSoC) is not about our salvation. It is about how we have 'worked out our salvation'. Our behavior and the works we do in this life as Christians will be tested. Put through the purifying fire. Only the things we have done in the power of the Holy Spirit (those things in the will of God) will survive. God has prepared works for us to do. (Eph. 2:10). This is the eternal report card. This is not about whether or not you graduated, but how well you did what God asked you to do.
"if it starts with us" - The big question (graduation - from earth to heaven) has already been answered. Is you name in the Lamb's Book of Life? IF your name is there, you are have eternal life. Is there really a ledger in heaven where everyone ever conceived has been tallied, and checked off? I think this image is for our benefit - we can visualize a record book in which every person who has believed in God and the Lord Jesus Christ is accounted. (See: Rev. 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12, 15,27.)
The judgement of Christians is not regarding condemnation or salvation. The judgement of Christians consists of comparing our present life to what God has called us to do. There are heavenly rewards for those who have done as He commanded (crowns, jewels, etc.) (See: 2 Tim 4:8; Jam. 1:11; Rev. 2:10)
vs. 18 - "barely saved" - See vs. 17. What to make of this phrase? "Barely Saved?" How can that be? In Christ, aren't we completely saved? Of course we are completely and wholly saved through the work of Jesus Christ! I think Peter is refering to the teaching of Paul concerning the Judgement Seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10) where the works of believers are judged. The works done in the Spirit will remain, those done in the flesh will be consumed by fire. See: 1 Cor. 3:13-16 It is conceivable for a Christian to go through the Judgement Seat of Christ and come away with his salvation intact, but nothing else. There would be no "Well done, my good and faithful servant". By the skin of his teeth, or barely saved.
"what will become of the ungodly" - However, if your name is not in the Lamb's Book of Life, there is another ledger containing your 'works'. There is no good reward from this book. It starts with Hell, and goes downhill from there - negative rewards, or so to speak. It is difficult to imagine what could be worse than eternity separated from God! Although this world is the province of Satan, it still benefits from the hand of God, the over-arching presence of His Spirit. Hell is devoid of God's presence - completely.
What is the purpose of this second book? The answer is very stark - black and white - if you have the Son you have life. If you don't have the Son, you DO NOT have life. See: John 3:36, 6:40, 20:31; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 5:12. It is implied that an account of our actions is kept - God knows all; nothing can be hidden from Him - whether we are believers or not. There will be 'rewards' for those behaviors. I believe this to be true for both Christians and non-Christians alike. Dante had "Nine Levels of Hell" in his famous work. Although all of Hell is populated by those who chose to reject Christ as Savior, there will additional negative consequences for their life choices. The torment of being separated from God, will be exacerbated by having chosen to ignore His leading in moral behavior. There are worse things than going to Hell! Separation from the love of God plus torment for eternity! Don't let this happen to you.
vs. 19 - "entrust their souls to a faithful Creator" - Jesus has told us life is found in Him, and only Him. Committing to Jesus is entrusting your eternal life to One Person. If HE is faithful (and HE is!) then your soul is safe from the second death. See: John 14:6, 20, 23. He will Love you! The Father will Love you! He will live (abide - make a home there) in you. If we can trust the Lord with our eternal soul, then when we are under persecution and suffering, we are trusting Him because it is His will for us to suffer (it purifies). We most surely should trust ourselves when we act correctly and do His will.
*** END OF CHAPTER
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