For the time (5)…

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4v17 (KJV)

“For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?” 1 Peter 4v17 (AMP)

As children of God, when we err, God disciplines us. We see this with the children of Israel and how God will let them be taken away as captives. Hebrews 12v5-7 (KJV) says “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” The Dakes concordance Bible makes this commentary on 1 Peter 4v17 that “… judgment, damnation, punishment… If the righteous are found sinning He judges them first, and if they are found righteous He delivers them from judgment (Gen 18:23-32, 19:22; Ex. 14:13-31; Ezek. 9:1-11; etc.). The idea here is that if God will punish the righteous when they sin, He will surely punish the ungodly. If the ones who are righteous are scarcely saved, there is no possible hope of sinners being saved.”

Supplementary Text

“And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt Thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty within the city: wilt Thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from Thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Genesis 18v23-25 (KJV)

Prayer

Heavenly Father we thank You so much for Your Word. Father, we thank You because we know You, we have Your Word, we have Your Spirit to teach us all things. Father, help us to continue in Your ways. Show us Your ways, teach us Your path, guide us in Your truth and lead us, for You are God, our Saviour, and our hope is in You all day long. We pray for those who do not know You. We pray for labourers to be sent to them, that they may turn from wickedness to righteousness and they will not perish but come to repentance, in Jesus name, amen.