“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely [or, “with difficulty”] saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:17-19)
Peter first talks about judgment beginning at the house of God. That is to say that despite what some might think, Christians are not immune to difficulties or hardships in life. Rather, God will often allow various trials and hardships to enter the lives of Christians to train and discipline them in the faith, to drive them to His Word, and draw them to Himself.
Peter then asks the question, “what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (verse 17) Doesn’t that sound like the question Christians sometimes ask, “How does a person who does not believe in Jesus possibly deal with this?” This is more than a question of mere curiosity; it’s also a question of great compassion. The caring Christian has sincere concern for the unbeliever going through hard times.
Peter takes the thought a step further when he writes, “Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?'” (verse 18) By this, Peter does not mean to say that it’s somehow too difficult for God to save a believer; rather, Peter refers to the difficulty a believer has in his daily walk with God as he is buffeted on all sides by the devil, the world, and his own sinful flesh. The Christian is mercilessly attacked with various temptations to give in to sin and despair.
The point is that if the Christian has such difficulty facing life’s hardships, and he has ready access to the Word of God and prayer for help, then what possible hope can the unbeliever have? The simple answer is “none.” What a horrible way to go through life’s many hardships and heartaches—without the knowledge of the love of Jesus, without the comfort of forgiveness, and without the hope of Christ’s resurrection! It is no wonder that so many in our world surrender to despair and even suicide, or find escape in substance abuse, sexual gratification, or their own manmade gods and religious observances.
Such knowledge on the Christian’s part should not only move us to compassion, it should also move us to action—to try to reach out to lost souls in such sad estate, to share with them the Gospel so that they can join us in having the same joy, comfort, help, and hope in Jesus that we have!
“Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” (verse 19) The Christian can trust that if God allows some adversity to come, then He is allowing it for our soul’s ultimate good. Thanks to Jesus, Christians can go through life, in good times and bad, completely confident in God’s will for our lives and in His love for our souls.
Thanks to Jesus, Christians can go through life, in good times and bad, completely confident in God’s will for our lives and in His love for our souls.
is pastor of a quad parish that includes Morning Star Lutheran Church in Fairchild, Trinity Lutheran Church in Millston, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Melrose, and Peace with God Evangelical Lutheran Church in Onalaska; all in Wisconsin.
