Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
5 “But just remember that they will have to face GOD, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead. 6 That is why the Good News was preached even to those who have died – so that although their bodies were punished with death, they could still live in the spirit as GOD does.” ~ 1 Peter 4:5-6
The basis of salvation is our belief in Jesus, but the basis for judgment is how we have lived. 29 “Trembling with fear, the jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 He brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ 31 They replied, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household.’” – Acts 16:29-31 – When we recognize Jesus as Lord and trust in Him with our entire life, salvation is assured to us. If you have never trusted Jesus to save you, do so, and experience real joy in your life.
Those who inflict persecution are marked for punishment when they stand before GOD. Believers have nothing to fear, however, because Jesus will be the final Judge over all. – 22 “And the Father leaves all judgment to His Son, 23 so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. But if you refuse to honor the Son, then you are certainly not honoring the Father who sent Him.” – John 5:22-23 – Because of His unity with GOD, Jesus lived as GOD wanted Him to live. Because of our identification with Jesus, we must honor Him and live as He wants us to live. – 1 “And so I solemnly urge you before GOD and before Christ Jesus – who will someday judge the living and the dead when He appears to set up His Kingdom: 2 Preach the Word of GOD. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” – 2 Timothy 4:1-2 – Christ is coming soon, and He wants to find His faithful believers ready for Him. It may be inconvenient to take a stand for Christ or to tell others about His love, but preaching the Word of GOD is the most important responsibility the church and its members have been given. We should be prepared for, courageous in, and sensitive to GOD-given opportunities to tell the Good News.
Many people in the early church had concerns about life after death. In Thessalonica, Christians worried that loved ones who died before Christ’s return might never see Christ. – 13 “And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have on hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, GOD will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:13-14 – Peter’s readers needed to be reminded that the dead – both the faithful and their oppressors – would be judged. The judgment will be perfectly fair, he pointed out, because even the dead have heard the Good News. The Good News was first announced when Jesus Christ preached on the earth, but it has been operating since before the creation of the world, and it affects all people, the dead as well as the living. – “Long ago, even before HE made the world, GOD loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in HIS eyes.” – Ephesians 1:4 – Paul says that GOD “chose us” to emphasize that salvation depends totally on GOD. We are not saved because we deserve it but because GOD is gracious and freely gives salvation. We did not influence GOD’s decision to save us; HE saved us according to HIS plan. Thus, there is no way to take credit for our salvation or to allow room for pride. The mystery of salvation originated in the timeless mind of GOD long before we existed. It is hard to understand how GOD could accept us. But because of Christ, we are holy and blameless in HIS sight. GOD chose us, and when we belong to HIM through Jesus Christ, GOD looks at us as if we had never sinned. What we can do is express our thanks for HIS wonderful love.
Father GOD, because we recognize Jesus as Lord and trust in Him with our entire life, salvation is assured to us. It sounds like such an easy thing to do, but sadly so many do not understand. Give those who do not understand the free gift of eternal salvation, a new and clear understanding of YOUR love and the gift that belongs to everyone who will believe and call upon the Lord Jesus Christ as their one true, personal Savior. Father, we know that we are not saved because we deserve it but because YOU, LORD are gracious and freely give salvation. We did not influence YOUR decision to save us; YOU saved us according to YOUR plan. It is difficult for our human minds to comprehend how YOU could accept us, but because of YOUR Son – Jesus Christ – we are holy and blameless in YOUR sight. YOU chose us, Father GOD, we belong to YOU through the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ and we are so very grateful for YOUR love.
Photo: Historical Cemetery (Cades Cove, TN)
Photographer: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
