Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
17 “For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin first among GOD’s own children. And if even we Christians must be judged, what terrible fate awaits those who have never believed GOD’s Good News? 18 And ‘If the righteous are barely saved, what chance will theGODless and sinners have?’ 19 So if you are suffering according to GOD’s will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the GOD who made you, for HE will never fail you.” ~ 1 Peter 4:17-19
Verses seventeen and eighteen refers not to the final judgment but to GOD’s refining discipline. – “As you endure this divine discipline, remember that GOD is treating you as HIS own children.” – Hebrews 12:7 – Who loves his child more – the father who allows the child to do what will harm him, or the one who corrects, trains, and even punishes the child to help him learn what is right? It is never pleasant to be corrected and disciplined by GOD, but HIS discipline is a sign of HIS deep love for us. When GOD corrects you, see it as proof of HIS love, and ask HIM what HE is trying to teach you.
GOD often allows believers to sin and then experience the consequences. HE does this for several reasons: 1) to show us our potential for sinning, 2) to encourage us to turn from sin and more constantly depend on HIM, 3) to prepare us to face other, even stronger temptations in the future, and 4) to help us stay faithful and continue to trust HIM. If believers need earthly discipline (judgment) from GOD, how much more will unbelievers receive it? If the righteous are barely saved (only because of GOD’s mercy), what chance do those have who reject Christ?
GOD created the world, and HE has faithfully ordered it and kept it since the Creation. Because we know that GOD is faithful, we can count on HIM to fulfill HIS promises to us. If GOD can oversee the forces of nature, surely HE can see us through the trials we face.
Father GOD, YOU are faithful! YOU always keep YOUR promises and YOU always see us through the trials and troubles we encounter in this world. We know that we can trust YOU, LORD – but we also know that YOU will discipline and even punish those YOU love in order to correct and train us so that we may learn to do what is right. Father we understand that when YOU correct us it is YOUR way of showing YOUR deep love for us. Help us to remember Father GOD, that sometimes we face discipline because of decisions we have made and that YOU allow us to experience the consequences of those decisions. Help us to understand that when YOU allow us to experience these consequences it is to show us the potential for sinning, to encourage us to turn from sin and constantly depend on YOU, to prepare us to face even stronger temptations in the future, and to help us stay faithful and continue to trust in YOU. Father, when we are disciplined, help us to remember to ask YOU what YOU are trying to teach us. Thank YOU for the privilege of being called a child of GOD.
Photo: Greenfield Village (Michigan)
Photographer: Lisa K Gonzales
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