There is an old saying that goes something like this, “If you point your finger at someone, there are three pointing back at you.” While you can be quick to point out the fault of others, you are often slow to recognize your own. Peter points this out in today’s passage. It begins with us.
1 Peter 4:17
“For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
Inside Out
God always starts internally before He works externally. By that, I mean He works on His people before He works on the lost. No revival ever starts without repentance. The same can be said for judgment. Before God ever judges the world, He is going to start with the church. He holds it to a higher standard. If you want to see Him move in your church, your first prayer should be that He clean house first.
Rejected Grace
If God starts with the church first, what will happen to those who don’t follow Him? Judgment is coming, and it will be much harsher on them. They have heard the Gospel and have rejected His grace. There will be a reckoning on the day of judgment, and it will end up with an eternity in hell, but God isn’t going to wait until then to bring His wrath. He sees the wickedness being committed, and He deals with it in His way.
It Begins With Us
Each believer should have the heart of David. “Search me, O Lord.” You should want the Holy Spirit to convict you of areas where you need to grow. Don’t resist or run from the judgment of God. The pain might be difficult at first, but you will appreciate the correction later on. His intentions are pure, and He only wants the best for you.