JUDGMENT BEGINS WITH US who are in Christ. “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?” I Peter 4:17 Many do not understand this Scripture because they do not understand God. “He would never do that!” Is the motto of the lukewarm Christian.
Back in January, the Lord showed me this year was a judgment on the church for our apathy, idolatries, sexual immorality and the like. This word judgment is the Greek word “krima”- “the severe trial which would determine character.” It refers to such calamities as would test the value of that which was professed. This judgment must begin with the house of God. Read your Bible. The Lord proclaims to His people, “I will rightly correct you, for I will not leave you wholly unpunished”. (Jer 46:28)
A good Father must discipline and correct His children. You can repent, submit and obey or you can disobey, continue to be rebellious and stubborn. But there’s consequences for disobedience, “And if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” If God brings such trials upon us who have obeyed his gospel, what have we not reason to suppose he will bring upon those who are yet unrepentant? And if we are selected first as the objects of this visitation, if there is that in us which requires such a method of dealing, what are we to suppose will occur in the end with those who are disobedient and living in open transgression?
From the writings of the Rabbis: “Punishments never come into the world unless the wicked are in it; but they do not begin unless they commence first with the righteous.” Are you awake yet? “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”I Corinthians 15:33-34 NKJV#RunYourRace
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