1 Peter 4:17-18
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
Peter is not simply being rhetorical. When he asks, "What will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" he is not really asking. Peter knows full well. Peter knows that without Jesus the end of everyone is death.
If we, those called saints by grace and through faith, are saved only through the immense difficulty and intensity of Jesus being crucified on a cross, how bad will it be for those who do not have Jesus on a cross on their behalf?
If it cost God everything in order to save those who by faith draw to near to Him, how much will it cost those who reject God's provision?
Peter is not implying that God barely pulled this salvation thing off.
It was not too difficult for God to save us.
But it was very expensive..
The difficulty is rather for us in persevering.
It is difficult to live by faith.
It is hard work to rest in Christ.
Does your faith cost you anything?
Would Jesus have had to die for you to have your faith?
If faith cost God the difficulty of offering up His Son and us the difficulty of denying ourselves, how easy is it then for us to fall short and deny God's gift?
Very easy.
All it requires of us is nothing.
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