Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Before we go on to study 1st Peter 5, let’s reflect further on the last few verses of chapter 4. “It is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’” I believe Peter is here talking about God evaluating where a Christian is at in his walk and in his relationship with Jesus. Most of us would admit we are not all we were meant to be in faith and in thought, word and action. When we fellowship with other Christians we are told in Hebrews 10:25, “let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” In the KJV it reads “provoke one another!” If we are to do this to encourage spiritual growth, you can be sure God is committed to doing the same, with a loving but firm hand. Hebrews 11:7-11 instructs us, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons…Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” This is God’s treatment for those who trust and follow Him. Think of what awaits those who thumb their noses at God in disbelief, rebellion or disinterest. “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!” (Hebrews 10:31).