Tag Archives: Philippians 2:8-11

In The Beginning, Really??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.01

28 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Me, Holy Spirit, In The Beginning, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.01 In The Beginning, Really???

 

Jesus is the beginning and the end, and what we believe about the beginning will affect what will happen to us in “the end”! John the beloved Apostle saw the Lord Jesus while on the Isle of Patmos, and heard His own proclamation of who HE was, is and ever shall be!

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying,

I am Alpha and Omega,

the first and the last:

and, What thou seest,

write in a book,

and send it unto the seven churches

which are in Asia….”    Revelation 1:10-11a

“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me,

Fear not;

I am the first

and the last:

18 I am he that liveth,

and was dead;

and, behold, I am alive for evermore,

Amen;

and have the keys of hell and of death.”   Revelation 1:17-18

Jesus is the first and the last, and while many refuse to accept or believe this truth, it is the essential, the cornerstone, of our faith, and we need to remind ourselves of its veracity and import often, and that is what I want us to think about today. Let’s spend some time rehearsing what we know (and introduce truth to those who may have never heard!) about Jesus so that we can stand fast in assurance of the truth of His Word!

Many believe that God was in the beginning, but Jesus was an ‘after-thought’ and only came when plan ‘A’, the law, failed, but that is not true. Jesus was the Redeemer before the foundation of the world, and when Genesis 1 says “in the beginning God…” it doesn’t mean God’s beginning but ours!

“In the beginning God

created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form,

and void;

and darkness was upon the face

of the deep.

And the Spirit of God moved

upon the face of the waters.

3 And God said, Let there be…….” Genesis 1:1-3a

“In the beginning God” created us—it’s of Him and through Him and to Him—all because He wanted a relationship with you and me.

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

This verse is in a context of Paul rehearsing the faithfulness and goodness of God’s salvation through Jesus—it all started with God, and He will bring it to pass.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

God was not only “in the beginning” of creation, He is the “beginning” of our new birth, our spiritual life. It is God that brings us to “be born again”!

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:12-13

All because HE first loved us—you and me, and sent His Son to die for us, to be payment for our sin.

“We love him, because he first loved us.”     1 John 4:19

“The beginning” is always of God, and He made provision for us before we ever failed Him.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest

in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him

do believe in God,

that raised him up

from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith

and hope

might be in God.”    1 Peter 1:18-21

God knew we would fail when He created us, and He had already made provision for our redemption back to HIM—we who were enemies with Him because of our sin, would have a way back to Him!! Oh, what a wondrous blessing—one that we can ever rejoice in! Amen and Amen! All because “HE first loved us”! Jesus paid for our sin with His own blood—He sets us free!

“My little children,

these things write I unto you,

that ye sin not.

And if any man sin,

we have an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation

for our sins:

and not for ours only,

but also for the sins

of the whole world.”    1 John 2:1-2

And simply put, ‘propitiation’ means the payment in full for a debt due—in our case the sin debt that demanded a penalty of death. He came to be our payment—the righteous, sinless Son of God, came to pay for our sin, so that we could have God’s righteousness applied to our account.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”    Romans 5:1

“For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness

of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

The God who created us, made provision for our salvation, who loved “us first”—is the God of all creation, and Jesus His Son is creator too!!! He also is “the beginning”, and unless we believe and know Him, we will surely fall.

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings

and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power,

and riches,

and wisdom,

and strength,

and honour,

and glory,

and blessing.” Revelation 5:9-12

This Jesus—the Lamb of God—will receive glory, for HE is Lord and creator! HE is God!!

“I and my Father are one.”   John 10:30

Jesus claimed for Himself oneness with God, and God verified that claim when He raised Him from the dead—and He remains God forever. And He is coming again soon.

“In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

              all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:14-17

So we can stand fast on the assurance that our God IS the creator of all things—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He began the ‘good work in you’ and He “will complete it”; yet we are called to stand fast in Him and His truth. We can know that He was, and is and evermore shall be, and we are to serve Him faithfully until He comes for us!

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”    Philippians 2:8-11

I pray that these things will help you spend some time this week rehearsing the truth, faithfulness and goodness of our God—Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

“Hath in these last days spoken unto us

by his Son,

whom he hath appointed heir

of all things,

by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory,

and the express image of his person,

and upholding all things

by the word of his power,

when he had by himself purged

our sins,

sat down on the right hand

of the Majesty on high;

4 Being made so much better

than the angels,

as he hath by inheritance

obtained a more excellent

name than they.”    Hebrews 1:2-4

May we rejoice in HIM who IS the ‘beginning’! Amen and Amen! And may I just close with this reminder; if the fist 11 chapters of Genesis are not true, then there is no need for the rest of The Word. For if there was not “Adam and Eve”, then there was no perfect creation, no man and woman with a relationship with God, and no sin! If there was no sin, then we have no need of a Redeemer!!! Genesis is the foundation of all that we believe—and Jesus is that ‘founder’!

“According to the grace of God

which is given unto me,

as a wise masterbuilder,

I have laid the foundation,

and another buildeth thereon.

But let every man take heed

how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.”    1 Corinthians 3:10-11

Only One Way—Jesus!

Only One Foundation—Jesus!

Only One Message—Jesus!

Is HE your beginning? I pray that He is!!!

S.R.O.–How About You??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 26

22 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by in Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Follow Me, Heaven or Hell, Jesus Is The Only Way!, S.R.O., Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word, Walking With Jesus, When Will You Bow?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.26 S.R.O—How About You???

 

We’ve all heard the term “Standing Room Only”; it’s used for a situation at an event that doesn’t have enough seats for everyone to sit down at a particular time. Well my friends, I’d like is to consider another S.R.O. scenario: the day when Jesus comes again, and what we do with our time and our lives until He appears will dictate our position before Him when He comes—our eternal destiny depends on our choice.

In his letter to Ephesian believers, Paul calls followers of Jesus to stand up for Him, and in Him in order to not fall. Let’s look at some portions from that letter:

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong

in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not

against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.

13 Wherefore

take unto you the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about with truth,

and having on the breastplate

of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod

with the preparation

of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able

to quench all the fiery darts

of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;”    Ephesians 6:10-18

Paul calls us to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” so that we will be able to “stand” in enemy territory—knowing that our enemy isn’t “flesh and blood”, but the unseen forces of the devil—and yes, he is real! Four times Paul calls us to “be strong” or “to stand”, and we can only do that in the “power of his might”! And we can receive that “power…..to stand” as we kneel. We must come to Jesus in repentance and faith, trusting in His work of salvation on Calvary. Paul talked about that in his letter to the Philippians, reminding us that the question isn’t “Will you bow?” but when will you bow?

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”   Philippians 2:8-11

Jesus came because He loves us; He came to be the ‘suffering servant’ of Isaiah 53, to be the perfect sacrifice for sin—the Only sacrifice for sin. And our eternal destiny—yours and mine—depends on what we do with that gift of salvation bought by His blood!

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world

through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”    John 3:16-19

We must decide if we will bow before at the cross and receive the gift that Jesus offers to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith, or if we will ‘stand’ against Him; but remember the day is coming when those who ‘stand’ against Him will “bow”, speechlessly, with no recourse, no Savior, but ‘standing’ before Judge Jesus at the Great White Throne.

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face

the earth

and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small

and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things

which were written

in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell

delivered up the dead which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”   Revelation 20:11-15

There will be ‘standing room only’ before that Throne; no one will be sitting this one out! Those who have chosen to refuse the love that God has for them will give an account of why they refused to ‘bow’ before The Son of God! They will stand alone before the God who created them and who provided the salvation that they rejected. They will ‘bow’ before King Jesus as their judge with no opportunity for forgiveness and salvation -–that is only available in this life. Even as scripture tells us:

“And as it is appointed unto men

once to die,

but after this the judgment:”   Hebrews 9:27

This life is important, it is the only opportunity that we will have to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and have our sins forgiven; not a “get out of jail free’ card to escape hell, but a life-transforming gift of eternal life that Jesus purchased at Calvary with His own, sinless perfect life’s blood! And when He saves us, heaven is our destiny because He writes our names in the “book of life”! So the questions that we must all answer are, “Will I stand on my own?” or “Will I bow before the Son in this life now, as Savior and Lord, or will I bow before Him then, as Judge?”

I know these are sobering questions, but they are questions that are of eternal import—what you decide to do with Jesus will determine whether you face a heavenly home or an eternal hell! I can’t think of anything more important, even though most these days, want to simply disregard Jesus as ‘pie in the sky’ and live like there is no tomorrow. Well my friend, there is a tomorrow—and only God knows what it holds. But when we come to Jesus, we can have confidence knowing Who holds our tomorrows (Oh, that might make a great song!). And we can trust Him to continue to do His work in us—for our good and His glory.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

Jesus is coming soon; I believe that with all my heart. And while I don’t know the day or the hour, I know that when He comes, I’m going with Him!!! How about you? There is “Standing Room” only to kneel before Him today, and know we will never stand before that Great White Throne (Although believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of what we have done, or not done for Jesus, but that’s a subject for another day. See Romans 14:10 & 2 Corinthians 5:10, and it’s also pictured in 1 Corinthians 3:1-15)!

I pray that we will each examine our heart today and listen to His Spirit, drawing near to the Savior—either to bow before Him as Lord and Savior to receive His gift of salvation; or to draw nearer to Him and learn to know Him better if we are already His! Have a blessed week walking with Jesus, and “…take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”! Amen and Amen!

Who’s Standard??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #429

19 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Changed Lives, Every Knee Shall Bow, Follow Me, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Plumbline?, Repentance, Salvation, SIN, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #429    Who’s Standard???

 

I’d like examine a message that Amos spoke to his people—a message that is apropos for us today. Much like the days of the judges, we have become a people who are going their own way! The Word shares this assessment twice in the book of Judges, and it is worthy for us to consider today.

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that

which was right

in his own eyes.” Judges 17:6

“In those days there was no king in Israel:

every man did that

which was right

in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25

 What I’d like us to question today is “Who’s standard are we following?”, what standard are we ordering our lives by, God’s or the world’s? Is it our own way or God’s way? Until we recognize ourselves as sinners and come to Jesus in repentance and faith, we will never know the power and presence of God’s Holy Spirit who will lead us “in the way everlasting”! (See Psalm 139:23-24)

“All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned every one to his own way;

and the LORD hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

Until we recognize “sin” as “sin”, why would we need to repent? Why would we need a Savior to redeem us through His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice? Only the Holy Spirit of Jesus can open our eyes and lead us to the cross!

“No man can come to me,

except the Father

which hath sent me

draw him….” John 6:44a

No matter what the world may say on every hand, there is only ONE way to be right with God, and that “way” is Jesus; and there is a time coming when every one will stand before God to give an account of what they have done with Jesus!

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”    Philippians 2:8-11

Jesus is the only way, HE is God’s plumb-line, God’s standard, God’s judge, God’s own Son, The One who gave Himself for us, but we must come to HIM His way! We must come to Jesus in repentance and faith! And can be saved, and He will make us a new creation “in Jesus”, and come to dwell within us in the person of The Holy Spirit! That is God’s standard, the only standard that matters; and there is a day coming when God’s grace, mercy and patience will end for those who reject HIM! And I can’t help but believe that day is closer than we may think. God told the prophet Amos to warn his people of this same principle:

“Thus he shewed me:

and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall

made by a plumbline,

with a plumbline in his hand.

8 And the LORD said unto me,

Amos, what seest thou?

And I said,

A plumbline.

Then said the Lord,

Behold, I will set a plumbline

in the midst of my people Israel:

I will not again pass by them any more:”   Amos 7:7-8

God was telling Amos that the days of His patient extension of grace to Israel was coming to an end, and if God’s patience came to an end with Israel’s sin—it will come to and end for those who are rejecting Him today.

So, how will you stand-up against God’s plumb-line? Have you created a standard of your own; are you following the ways of the world? Do you know Jesus? If you don’t, you can, if you’ll but listen for His voice that is speaking to your heart, and repent of your sin, trusting in Jesus’ payment for sin on the cross? I pray that you will come to Him. If you already know Him, may we ever be a reflection of HIS glory!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,     

the truth,      

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6     

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 Amen!

How Will We Be Saved??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No. 7

20 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, SIN, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 10 No.7 How Will We Be Saved???

 

We were blessed with a thought-provoking message this morning and I’d like to use its inspiration to share an often-neglected subject today!!! There have always been false teachers, preachers and prophets in the past, and they are still with us today! But we must understand truth, so we can recognize the subtlety of their deception. God’s truth ever stands, and we can stand in the power of His might, truth and sovereignty, resting assured in His provision. Peter gives us some great insight into this eternal conflict.

“Knowing this first,

that there shall come

in the last days

scoffers,

walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying,

Where is the promise of his coming?

for since the fathers fell asleep,

all things continue

as they were

from the beginning of the creation.

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of,

that by the word of God

the heavens were of old,

and the earth standing out of the water

and in the water:

6 Whereby the world

that then was,

being overflowed with water,

perished:” 2 Peter 3:3-6

Peter knew that there were those in His day that rejected the creation account of scripture, and they are still among us today, and if we aren’t in the “last days”, I don’t know where we are. Our culture and the world around us, just like those that Peter refers to, have chosen to deny the presence and work of God in our world. They not only deny His creative work, but also His very existence and certainly His presence among us. Believers are ridiculed for trusting in “myths” and “fantasy” or “pie in the sky”, but we can “stand fast in the evil day”, knowing God has saved and redeemed us because He loves us, and has called us to continue to spread the Good News of The Gospel of Jesus Christ! Yet Peter didn’t stop there, He also reminded us that as God judged the world and destroyed all living creatures in the flood of Noah’s time, He is coming again in the final judgment of this world, for sin and unrighteousness! And He will judge the world according to His Son Jesus!

“Because he hath appointed a day,

in the which he will judge the world

in righteousness

by that man

whom he hath ordained;

whereof he hath given assurance

unto all men,

in that he hath raised him

from the dead.” Acts 17:31

One of Paul’s most concise messages was this message to the Athenians, proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus to the them—the point at which they ridiculed him. But the point that Paul makes is that the assurance of the power of God, is the raising of Jesus from the dead– the assurance that HE will judge the world by Jesus! And I can’t help but believe that day is closer than we realize. And as an old gospel song says, “this time it won’t be by water, but by fire!” And only those who are ‘washed in the Blood of The Lamb’ will be delivered from that fire. All because of God’s amazing grace and love, which Jesus accomplished at the cross. He was lifted up in death that we might live and not experience the judgment of God.

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,

that one day is with the Lord

as a thousand years,

and a thousand years

as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come

as a thief in the night;

in the which the heavens shall pass away

with a great noise,

and the elements shall melt

with fervent heat,

the earth also and the works that are therein

shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things

shall be dissolved,

what manner of persons ought ye to be

in all holy conversation

and godliness,” 2 Peter 3:8-11

Peter reminds us of the coming judgment of God, and encourages us to be bold and faithful in godly living and conversation (our words and deeds!). We must focus on God and living for Him, and to His glory–whether anyone believes us or not. We are called to share The Gospel, knowing that only The Holy Spirit of God can change and transform hearts and lives! And born again, redeemed men, women, boys and girls will not undergo this ‘wrath’ of God.

“Much more then,

being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:9-11

Praise God it is the Resurrection Power that saves, keeps and delivers us from the wrath of God, and just as it did in the past, it is doing in the present and it will do in the future. To get to the real focus for today, let’s consider at a short passage in 1 Peter 4. First Peter was written to a people who were suffering for their faith, and he encourages them to press on, knowing that God is at work in everything around us, even our suffering. Peter also reminds us that we will give an account of our living and our service to Jesus, but without condemnation!!!

“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?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved,

where shall the ungodly

and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer

according to the will of God

commit the keeping of their souls

to him in well doing,

as unto a faithful Creator.”    1 Peter 4:17-19

Peter assures believers that even when we suffer for Our Lord, it is God to whom we can ever “commit the keeping of their souls”! Even as Jesus reminds us:

“And fear not them which kill the body,

but are not able to kill the soul:

but rather fear him

which is able

to destroy both soul and body in hell.”   Matthew 10:28

Only God can destroy the soul in Hell, and those who refuse Jesus will recognize that too late, but they will bow:

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue

should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:8-11

Jesus gave His life for mine/yours, and we can commit our lives, our souls and our future to HIM! He is a worthy God, Savior and Redeemer, and by the blood of The Lamb, we live! But what does Peter mean when he says that judgment must begin “at the house of God”? I’d like to share a few thoughts in response to that question.

Judgment begins “at the house of God” because our sin has been judged at the cross. God saves our lives and souls from sin at the cross! The cross of Jesus brings us to God as His Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, births us into His Kingdom.

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,
and rejoice

in hope

of the glory of God.”    Romans 5:1-2

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law

of the Spirit of life

in Christ Jesus

hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”     Romans 8:1-2

Praise God we are made free from condemnation and wrath; but we must remember that we are at war with the “prince of the power of the air”, the one who is ever against us in this world, Satan. He hates us, and all that God intends to do in, through and with us; and we will suffer persecution of one sort or another when we choose to live our lives faithfully before God. You can choose to blend in with the world, and loose your ‘saltiness’, and dim your ‘light’ so it won’t shine the light of Jesus, but when we choose to follow The Lord and His Word we will encounter opposition.

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

Not a message that we hear often, but Paul told his son in the ministry, that suffering would be the norm for those who follow Jesus faithfully and “live godly in Christ Jesus”! Just as Peter told those he wrote to, we are to live in light of eternity, not our temporal circumstances! When we march to the beat of a different drummer, others will notice, but they won’t always like it. And in these days of “tolerance”, people seem to expect tolerance to be given to everyone except those who believe in the historical, biblical, Word-of-God Christian faith; those of us who believe that God hasn’t changed His Word or “the rules”!

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:6

Only One way then! Only One way now–and that way is Jesus! When we are saved by His grace, through His death, which bore our sin, and condemnation, while His righteousness was imparted to us. Judgment is a reality; experience it yourself, if you reject Jesus; or you can receive the gift that God offers in Jesus, “redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”. (See Col. 1:14)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Judgment begins with us, we who have been to the cross and accepted the substitutionary judgment that Jesus took for us at Calvary! But the rest of Peter’s question is the saddest of all things to me—there are those who will refuse the gift of God. As Peter put it:

“if the righteous scarcely be saved,

where shall the ungodly

and the sinner appear?”

When God offers the gift of salvation, those who reject His gift will face the consequences of their choice. They won’t stand before the cross and receive grace; they will stand before the throne of God and receive the just reward of their own choice!

“For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”     Matthew 16:26-27

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

The believer will give an account of his working out of his salvation, because our sins are under the blood of Jesus; but the unbelieving will stand before God and give an account of every word and deed without the blood of Jesus!

“And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face the earth

and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place

for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged

every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”    Revelation 20:11-15

“…….I will recompense them

according to their deeds,

and according to the works

of their own hands.”   Jeremiah 25:14b

So Peter’s question isn’t talking about ‘working’ for our salvation, but the difference of having our sin paid for in Jesus, or paying for our own sin our own self—which is eternal death in the Lake of Fire. But we who belong to Jesus will be the recipients of His promises and His eternal presence. All this by God’s grace, and we can walk in the confidence that God is working all things to His glory and our good! We can keep our eyes on eternity, by the power of His Spirit working in us—regardless of our circumstances.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage

again to fear;

but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified

together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed in us.”     Romans 8:14-18

There is no comparison of this life to the eternal life with Jesus in glory! And when we are called to suffer we can have total confidence in our God who is in control of it all.

“Nevertheless I am continually

with thee:

thou hast holden me

by my right hand.

24 Thou shalt guide me

with thy counsel,

and afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee?

and there is none upon earth

that I desire beside thee.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth:

but God is the strength of my heart,

and my portion for ever.

27 For, lo,

they that are far from thee

shall perish:

thou hast destroyed all them

that go a whoring from thee.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God:

I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,

that I may declare all thy works.”   Psalm 73:23-25

We can count on God’s faithfulness regardless of our circumstances. What are you trusting in today? Will you choose forgiveness and redemption through Jesus or will you choose to reject HIM and pay for your own sin. And may we who know Him, “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” May we joyfully and confidently proclaim with the Psalmist!

“But it is good for me to draw near to God:

I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,

that I may declare all thy works.”

Amen and Amen. Won’t you trust HIM and “declare all” HIS works to a lost and dying world. Eternity is ahead!