Judgment Begins in the House of the Lord

Are Now Saved by Grace Not by Works of The Law!
(Isn’t All Forgiven)
Main Scriptures: 1 Peter 4:12-19; 2 Corinthians 5:10

Peter in this passage is following the O.T. pattern that God, while judging and
punishing the nations, also disciplines His children, Israel(for example, the Babylonian captivity for 70 years for their gross idolatries, see also the book of Habakkuk etc.) The purpose of these painful, tragic events was to restore His children to the right relationship with Him, but they never stopped being His children. The word “Judgment” used in 1 Peter 17 really, in context = “discipline” for the purpose of cleansing or restoration. Peter concludes that the contrast to those pagans (ungodly, sinners) who refuse to believe is great, even incomparable(verse 18) There is also a warning message from Peter to believers as to their ongoing behaviors as believers. Even though Christians are saved by grace and faith there is a faith walk for followers and they will be evaluated by the Spirit, the word and their final judgment; and while it does not affect their salvation it somehow affects their final divine evaluation (See both 2 Corinthians 5:10... receive what is “due us”; 1 Corinthians 3:15 a believer may “suffer loss”, as to their reward). Therefore not everything at the believers evaluation will be pleasant(note the judgment seat of Christ; 2 Corinthians 5:10, is different than the Great
White Throne of Judgment at the last days, for those who continually refused and who rebelled against Christ’s rule after His Millennial Reign(Revelation 20:11-15)

Why? Because Peter is addressing the possible difficulties that Christians
may experience in this fallen world. At times living the Christian life or certain
circumstances can be “very hard” (1 Peter 4:18, also verses 12-16) and Peter
wants to encourage them to persevere and not become saintly in their
confessions but worldly in their behaviors because salvation is solidly based on
faith and grace. The quality of our living or works, our Spirit inspired faith walk will
affect our reception in heaven(1 Peter 4:17; 1 Corinthians 3:15; II Corinthians
5:10) Remember also the book of James emphasis in 3:14-26, especially 17, “...
faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action/works is dead”; also Paul’s

admonition in Romans 8:4, not to live according to the flesh, but according to the
Spirit: both are still within us and our behaviors will still be adjudicated(2
Corinthians 5:10) even when we are still saved (1 Corinthians 3:15)

Conclusion

I) Salvation comes entirely by grace through faith in Christ(John 3:16-18;
Ephesians 1:7; 2:9; even 1 Corinthians 3:15 admits this”... how you and I build
our lives in Christ, will count in our ultimate evaluation and even if we “suffer loss,
as to our reward, we will be saved.
II) Although God has no expectations that our walk will be perfect as
saints (1 John 1:8-2:2) He does expect to put forth our best faith effort as to our
living.
III) Walk and live in Christ in the context that God remains our father,
Jesus remains our advocate, when we do sin, and the Spirit remains our
counselor and Power behind God’s mercy and forgiveness, and witness
And although sometimes it’s hard even for His adopted children to trust in
His love and mercy even with the Holy Spirit within us, the Word to inform
us and community of faith to encourage us, He promises to never leave us
and forsake us and continue to apply His forgiveness to us as we
approach Him in humility, honesty and hunger.
Amen

Re-read 1 Peter 4:17-19 especially verse 19