I Peter 4: 12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17For 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? 18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19Wherefore 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.
Scarcely saved—Peter describes us many ways, but here we must remember his words. “Scarcely saved” makes you feel uncertain. Can you be sure? This was written as Peter was moved by the Holy Spirit. We need to consider more than we do the difference in living a Christian life. What is the hardest thing you ever tried to do? What’s the hardest thing you ever dealt with? It’s the struggle of living right. The Bible makes no bones about letting us know how it works. Peter said “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” Things happen; we do suffer. Often we look at it in light of health or financial suffering. There is persecution too. Judgment begins here at the church on this side of eternity. There must be a continual checking. Verse 17 says “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?” It’s one thing to talk about the sins of others, but quite something else to think about our own sins. It has to be done. Why? Peter said “and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 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.”
How do you feel about the words? What is “scarcely saved” teaching us? It brings us to a serious note. The devil wants us to be anything but what God wants us to be. He’d have us live on our past reputation. “I’ve lived for the Lord for years. I’ve done enough.” Can you quit praying or reading your Bible? Have you ever said “I know I’m not what I used to be for the Lord?” Does that take care of now? Check yourself out. There are many on the broad road, but the Bible says there are few on the straight and narrow road. Think about how many are seriously practicing Christianity by word and deed. Compare it to the percentage who thinks affiliation to a church is enough or that saying prayers is enough. Some think being part of a religious group is enough. There is a large percentage of false religion. Many are deceived. The smallest percentage is the ones who really take God seriously.
Peter said the righteous are scarcely saved. Being righteous doesn’t mean showing off good deeds. The only way to be righteous, to be truly saved, is not through our own means but through the righteousness of another. It’s by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This brings about a change of character, a change of conduct. It brings adherence to God’s word. It makes us loves others and love the Lord. I can’t be righteous without trusting Jesus and yielding to him. We have a war inside between two natures. Our old fleshly nature gets the upper hand if we let it. It’s all too easy to get lax and not act and live like we should. We all know how to sin, but sometimes our knowledge of God is pretty shallow. The Bible says to “study to show thyself approved unto God.”
You do not have a Christian side and a regular side. If your regular you isn’t your Christian you, you might just miss the mark. The book of Matthew says that “many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” I won’t get into heaven because I’ve been a preacher most of my life. When God looks down on us, he should see a Christian 24/7. Otherwise, he may have to say “and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” I have to live what I say. We all do. If I say I have a relationship with Jesus, I have to have one. Are you in or out? Are you saved or not? It’s tough but not impossible to be a Christian. What Jesus did for us on Calvary makes going to heaven possible.
Don’t fool yourself. Knowing Jesus is a two-way street. You know him and he knows you. He must know you. He will if you are scripturally saved. That brings about a visibly saved. You show it. There is a light in us that must shine. It brings about a seriously saved—your relationship with the Lord is first. Be sure. Ask the Lord. It’s not what you claim you are but what God says you are that counts. That determines what he’ll say at the judgment. Know where you stand now.
Verse 19 says “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.” Peter wanted all to know that committing ourselves to the Lord and turning our life over to him is giving it to the Faithful One. We do salvation His way. Those who are right with God may be scarce, but we can be saved through and by HIM!
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 