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:

 

            Judgment begins with the household of God:

 

1 Peter 4:17

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?

 

            I thought this was a free ride. You mean we have to be judged? That’s what this says; and it starts with us now … not in the future. Actually, being under judgment now prevents the Judgment to come. If we are true children of God, then we are under discipline. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, we are to repent immediately and ask forgiveness. That’s part of our judgment. If we don’t repent within a short amount of time, then we open ourselves up to other kinds of judgment. That doesn’t mean that we go to the bad place; but it could open us up to problems here on earth. It’s not that God is trying to zap us. It’s that we open ourselves up to being zapped. Let’s not get into an argument over exactly what kind of zapping. We don’t want to get zapped in any way whatsoever. Whatever it is, it’s definitely not like the unbeliever will have on Judgment Day.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You are judged, My children, by My Word. You are judged by whether or not you obey its commandments. You are judged by your actions and by your attitudes. You shall be holy for I am holy. There is no other way to walk in My Kingdom than to walk in holiness. You shall not be judged in the end, if you are judged by My Word now. As you obey My Word, you shall free yourself from further judgment. You are free from sin and free from judgment when you walk in My Word. You are free to walk in My liberty when you walk in My commandments. You will not face the judgments of the world, if you walk in the judgments of My Word; for they will set you free from sin and death. This is My commandment … that you obey My Word and not come into the judgment at the end of the age.”

 

            78. I will so live my life according to the Holy Spirit that I will not come under judgment for my behavior.