Be Careful If The Best Student Finds It Difficult

1 Peter 4:17-18
(17) For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (18) And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

The best student should not be facing learning difficulties compared to the average and below-average student. What others think is difficult, the best student finds it easy. The best student is at the top of the class. We should therefore be warned if the best student finds something to be difficult, because that may mean impossible to us.

Judgment is like an exam that determines where we are placed. Judgment decides our eternal destiny. No student in a school is exempted from being examined. No human being is exempted from judgment. We shall all face judgment.

Apostle Peter let the church know in his first letter which is our text today that there is judgment. He tells us that judgment will begin with those who have accepted to be counted as belonging to God’s house. Judgment will begin with God’s household. Judgment will begin with those considered the best in the salvation class because they have accepted God’s call to be part of His house.

Apostle Peter invites the church to consider what will happen to those who have rejected the gospel. If the best among us will be judged, what will be the fate of those who are outright evil? If it is hard for the best student, each of us should stand warned!

Salvation is free. We are saved by grace through faith. Our biggest challenge is to accept that salvation and fully embrace it. Judgment determines if we really accepted that salvation or if we have been hypocrites. Judgment determines if we are really fully committed to God or if it’s just lip service. If we fully embrace the free salvation we get saved indeed. If we take it halfheartedly judgment will condemn us.

This judgment will begin with God’s household. If judgment will begin with God’s household, those who are committed, how shall it be with those who have refused to make a commitment? If the best student finds it difficult we should all be warned!

The warning is not a condemnation. The warning is being prepared for what is coming. The warning is being told to avoid failure. If God will strictly judge those who love Him and have chosen Him, the rest should be warned. If the best student finds it difficult we should all be warned!

Judgment will determine if we accepted the free salvation God offered. Judgment will determine if after salvation we accepted the free power of the Holy Spirit to change us. Judgment will determine if we accepted the free guidance of the Holy Spirit that was designed to make us better people ready for heaven. If the best student finds it difficult we should all be warned!

We are saved freely by faith in Jesus. We are saved freely by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are judged after salvation based on the choices we make. The judgment confirms the salvation that we accepted. The judgment also confirms if we rejected salvation that is free. The judgment also confirms if we rejected the free guidance and empowerment to do right by the Holy Spirit. Everyone will therefore be judged beginning with the righteous. If the best student finds it difficult we should all be warned!

1The judgment has set, the books have been opened;How shall we stand in that great day,When every thought, and word, and action,God, the righteous Judge, shall weigh?

RefrainHow shall we stand in that great day?How shall we stand in that great day?Shall we be found before Him wanting?Or with our sins all washed away?

2The work is begun with those who are sleeping,Soon will the living here be tried,Out of the books of God’s remembrance,His decision to abide.

3O, how shall we stand that moment of searching,When all our sins those books reveal?When from that court, each case decided,Shall be granted no appeal?

Stanza two of this great hymn tells us that judgment begins with those who died and then those who are still alive. Judgment is going on now in heaven. Judgment based on the books bearing all our records in heaven, Daniel 7:9-10. This is the investigative judgment. We don’t have to be physically present there, because records of our words, thoughts and actions are there in heavenly court. If you have accepted Jesus, your records in heaven are deleted and clean.

Dear God clear my records in heaven by the blood of Jesus. Help me to accept your free salvation, empowerment, and guidance. Help me to make it in the inevitable judgment. May I be saved eternally, in Jesus’s name, Amen!

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