62. Judgement

Judgement in the House of God

A few weeks ago we looked at two kinds of suffering for the Christian. Suffering for Christ and suffering for wrongdoing. The fact that Peter inserts the command ‘let no one suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters’ is a reminder of the power of remaining sin and that it is quite possible for Christians to commit such heinous sins. Suffering for Christ brings honor and glory to that fair name. Suffering for wrongdoing brings dishonor to Christ. It affects not only the one who commits such acts but brings shame upon the local community of believers and the church of Christ around the world. The bad behavior of one Christian sully’s the reputation of all.

The Christian suffers in two ways.

Outwardly in regards to persecution as we have seen in recent context. They were maligned, they were falsely accused, and slandered as evil-doers.

Inwardly in regards to dealing with the power of remaining sin. 1:14 do not conformed to former lusts. 1:15 be holy yourselves in all your behavior. 2:1 abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul, 2:20 what credit is there when you sin and are treated harshly, 3:9 not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult. 4:15 let no one suffer as…

1Pe 4:12-19  Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;  (13)  but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  (14)  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.  (15)  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.  (16)  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.  (17)  For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?  (18)  Now "IF THE RIGHTEOUS ONE IS SCARCELY SAVED, WHERE WILL THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER APPEAR?"  (19)  Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

The time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God. Considering that this letter has been about suffering, when we casually read this text it appears to not be very encouraging. After all we are talking about God’s judgement. But let me assure you that this verse is for the Christian most encouraging. It is a balm to our soul, a comfort to soothe our aching hearts. But first we must lay the foundation of this text.

This morning there is a general observation followed by three points. 1) Our judgement 2) our Judge 3) Our Justice

General Observations:

The Greek word translated as ‘for’ can also be translated as ‘because’. Remember that the Scripture is the inspired Word of God not in the general sense but specifically. Every word is there for a reason. This word ‘for’ or ‘because’ denotes the reason of the following thought. The reason why ‘let none of you suffer as a murderer, etc.; the reason why if you are reproached for Christ’s name is because judgement has begun in the household of God.

What does it mean that the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God? Is Peter saying that at the time of his writing of the letter that judgement began? Remember that it was written sometime in the 60’s AD. The answer to that is no. The household of God includes more than just the churches Peter was writing to at the time. It is all inclusive of the household of God. And I see the light of understanding coming on in your eyes.

I. Our Judgement

Defined-Judgment

is the sentence rendered for a crime that has been committed. The crime that has been committed is sin. Sin is defined well in Keach’s catechism Q.18. What is sin? Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. Q.91. What does every sin deserve? Every sin deserves God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.

Gal 3:10  For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”

Eph 5:5-6  For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  (6)  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Rev 15:4  Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

II. Our Judge the Holy God

Where there is judgment there is a judge, the righteous Judge. Human judges pass judgment on physical evidence that is presented to them, which may or may not lead to a right conclusion. But God knows even the thoughts and intentions of our heart.?

The Holiness of God

Lev 11:45  For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

He only is independently, infinitely, immutably holy. In Scripture He is frequently called "The Holy One": He is so because the sum of all moral excellency is found in Him.

He is absolute Purity, unsullied even by the shadow of sin. 1 Jn 1:5 "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" . Jas 1:17  Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.

God’s infiniteness separates who He is from finite man. Man can only ever love so much, he can only know so much, feel so much because he has a beginning and an end. God’s attributes know no limits. There is no height, depth, or breadth they do not reach. As God’s power is the opposite of the native weakness of the creature, as His wisdom is in complete contrast from the least defect of understanding, so His holiness is the complete opposite of all moral blemish or defilement. Stephen Charnock said "Power is God’s hand or arm, omniscience His eye, mercy His bowels, eternity His duration, but holiness is His beauty"

This perfection, as none other, is solemnly celebrated before the Throne of Heaven Isa_6:3 , the seraphim crying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts". God Himself singles out this perfection, Psa 89:35  "Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David. God swears by His holiness because that is a fuller expression of Himself than anything else.

As God’s infinitude quantifies His attributes, it is His holiness that qualifies them. His holiness rests on His every perfection. His love is as pure as it is infinite. He wisdom is pure as it is infinite, His grace, His mercy, and His judgement, all infinitely holy.

God’s holiness is manifested in His law. That law forbids sin in all of its modifications: in its most refined as well as its grossest forms, the intent of the mind as well as the pollution of the body, the secret desire as well as the overt Acts Therefore do we read, The law is holy, and "the commandment holy, and just, and good" (Rom_7:12). Yes, "the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether" (Psa_19:8-9).

Quote from Stephen Charnock, a Puritan Pastor, “Not all the vials of judgment that have or shall be poured out upon the wicked world, nor the flaming furnace of a sinner’s conscience, nor the irreversible sentence pronounced against the rebellious demons, nor the groans of the damned creatures, give such a demonstration of God’s hatred of sin, as the wrath of God let loose upon His Son. Never did Divine holiness appear more beautiful and lovely than at the time our Saviour’s countenance was most marred in the midst of His dying groans. This Himself acknowledges in Psa_22:1-31. When God had turned His smiling face from Him, and thrust His sharp knife into His heart, which forced that terrible cry from Him, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" He adores this perfection — "Thou art holy,"

Because God is holy He hates all sin. He loves everything which is in conformity to His laws and loathes everything which is contrary to it. His Word plainly declares, "The crooked man is an abomination to the Lord" (Pro_3:32). And again, "The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord" (Pro_15:26). It follows, therefore, that He must necessarily punish sin. Sin can no more exist without demanding His punishment than it can exist without requiring His hatred of it. Therefore we are told, Nah 1:2  A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; The LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies.

For one sin God banished our first parents from Eden. For one sin all the posterity of Ham fell under a curse which remains over them to this day (Gen_9:21). For one sin Moses was excluded from Canaan, Elisha’s servant smitten with leprosy, Ananias and Sapphira cut off out of the land of the living.

III. Our Justice

The word ‘for’ connects this verse with the previous. It is a continuation of a line of thought. ‘For provides the ultimate explanation for Christian suffering. It explains the exhortation not to be ashamed of suffering, but to use it to glorify God. The readers were assured that God was at work amid their sufferings (1Pe 4:17a) and then comforted by a double inference from their experience (1Pe 4:17b-18). The explanation of the present ordeal (1Pe 4:17a).

"For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God" explains the divine aspect of the readers' suffering for Christ's sake. It is the time and appropriate season for God to deal in judgment with His people. This judgment has been ongoing. As each of those whom God chose before the foundation of the world are brought forth the judgment of sin begins.

The Greek literally states from the household of God. Judgment has its point of origin the household of God. How can this be? First let us define household. Webster defines it as ‘Those who dwell under the same roof and compose a family; those who belong to a family.’ Every family has a head, the center of authority. Eph 4:15-16  but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ,  (16)  from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

It is not only the household of God in the NT but all the OT saints are included. The forgiveness of their sins was not found I the sacrificial system on the Law. That is made clear in the Word of God. Heb 10:4  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

2Sa 12:13  So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

Davis’s sin was put away at the time but paid for in the blood of Christ.

Heb 10:10-18  By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  (11)  And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  (12)  But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,  (13)  from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.  (14)  For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.  (15)  But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,  (16)  "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR HEARTS, AND IN THEIR MINDS I WILL WRITE THEM,"  (17)  then He adds, "THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE."  (18)  Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

It was on Christ that judgement for sin began. It is throughout Peter’s letter we see this theme. 1Pe 1:18-19  knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,  (19)  but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

If we did not have the testimony of the gospels telling of the violence of His trial and crucifixion we would know that there was violence in the shedding of His precious blood.

1Pe 2:24  and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

By His wounds we are healed. Jesus bore the wrath of God for our sake. He drank of His Father’s wrath until there was not a drop left to drink His people, for all who were chosen before the foundation of the world

1Pe 3:18  For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

Isa 53:10-12  But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.  (11)  As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.  (12)  Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

It is because of what Jesus suffered that the judgment of the rest of the household of God is not unto condemnation. But such is the love of the Father for His children, such is His hatred for that that He will not abide its presence in them. Judgement now, since Christ has suffered in our place, is now the rod of discipline. He will drive out sin and self-dependency. Which means even our aging bodies are a means of grace as it removes from us our self-sufficiency and causes us to look to the Lord our Help in all things.

Heb 12:4-11  You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;  (5)  and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;  (6)  FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."  (7)  It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  (8)  But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  (9)  Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?  (10)  For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.  (11)  All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

I ask you, what is your soul worth? Is it worth all the trials, all the afflictions, the persecutions, the struggles. I say a 1000 times yes. It makes me wonder now, when God says you shall be holy for I am holy, whether that is a command for us to follow or a promise from God of His work of sanctification.

May we approach each day with the understanding that our God is at work conforming us to the image of Christ.