Judgment Within the Household of God

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The centrality of today’s blog post is taken from 1 Peter 4:7-19, with the key passage verse 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?

Judgment equates to Death to “Self-Life” and Darkness

The major focus of this chapter spiritually informs followers of Messiah the challenges and rewards of appropriately responding to suffering like Christ in one’s calling as a disciple. The first verse in chapter four sets the tone for the rest of the epistle: Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.

Spiritual maturity for any follower of Messiah is not measured by what we can do on our strength, but via the grace of God empowering a living soul to present themselves as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is one’s spiritual service of worship in the earth. Romans 12:1

The only place on the earth that this miracle happens is within the Body of Christ, the household of God! This process of spiritual formation within the believer, into the Christ-likeness of Messiah, should be the exclusive primary function of every congregation. This is made manifest only when the “Treasure has supremacy over the vessel!”

For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness, is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves!” 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

What was it about the earlier communities of the Faithful, in their understanding about practicing Christlikeness in the earliest forms of “authentic fellowship” that we today, may glean from and practice in our generation?

God opposed the Proud

The first, if the not most essential lesson of our earlier believers, was the constant reminder from the leaders that God is and will not bless any follower, nor congregation that is proud, for He gives grace to those who are humble. 1 Peter 5:5 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

The second is that there was a universal understanding that this grace from God equated to them suffering like Christ.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which come upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and God rests upon you. 1 Peter 4:12-14

Grace= Suffering Like Christ

These definitions were discovered in Young Analytical Concordance To The Bible

• Grace- is defined as unmerited Favor, Kindness, Goodness, Mercy, Love/Protection all from God.

• Suffering- Purging [self-cleaning, to clear-to purify-to, reveal the self, to make clean from sin]

• Humility- To be lowly [of self and in one’s mind], gentleness, affliction.

• Humble- To bow down self, to become low, to be bruised, to be prepared.

It is this writer assessment that the judgment within the household of God that 1 Peter speaks of, and according to the above definitions, any willing follower who wishes to completely identify with Christ must spiritually become made ready to endure affliction to obtain God grace to be an effective witness in the earth.

“It is the laden branch of the tree that hangs low, and the most fruitful Believers who are the most humble!” -Anonymous

The Children of Light

You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light [for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth], verifying what is pleasing to the Lord. The Apostle Paul, Ephesians 5:8-11

Another fact, that we may learn from the early household of God was that they had and maintained an urgency of the imminent return of the Messiah throughout their lives. They not only eyewitnessed God’s divine power through Messiah and the apostles, but they also were, just as we are today, been granted everything about how they/us were to live out before an evil generation, a life of godliness. See Second Peter 1:3-11.

The applied and revolutionary virtue of grace within our souls produces sanctification throughout every component which defines us as human beings separated unto God for good works. Sanctification is not an experience, nor is it a status, nor an outward form.

Sanctification is a spiritual miracle from God by which a follower or the household of God is made able to take on the very character of Christ while living in a fallen world. They become Children of Light.

Some of the marks of Children of Light are that they are motivated by never having to defend themselves to be in the wrong, to themselves, others, or to God. “Reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Proverb 9:8 Children of Light fully understand that they are justified by grace in every area of their lives on earth.

Children of Light never long for or believe that they are missing out on any form of sinning, mainly if it becomes fashionable! Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers…, trust in the Lord, and do good. Psalm 37:1-3

Children of Light are governed by what is right and are joyful in the path of righteousness.

“Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:14-17 [This segment, Children of Light was gleaned from chapter 12 in Renovation of the Heart, Dallas Willard]

Some closing sentiments

The afflictions, persecutions, and or judgments in which God allows within the Household of God serve as His Fatherly chastisements that for the faithful followers of Messiah, will be entirely different from God’s judgment of the world, and condemnation of it. 1 Corinthians 11:32

By God permitting judgment to begin with the Household of God it is because it is only in this fallen world/and our present life, that faithful followers of Messiah will have their afflictions. Therefore these hardships and difficult testings are brought upon the believers to try us, to purge us, and to make us in this evil generation, colaborers in Christ holiness.

Prayer

Your Name O Father is Holy,

We faithfully pray that Your Kingdom comes and that Your will be done on earth as in heaven.

Forgive us what we have done wrong, as we too have forgiven those who have wronged us.

Please do not lead us into hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One.

We praise and submit to your power and glory now, and forevermore. Amen.

“The expression of Christlike character is not good ding, but God-likeness. If the Spirit of God has transformed you within, you will exhibit divine characteristics in your life, not good human characteristics.” -Oswald Chambers

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