WHERE JUDGEMENT BEGINS

• WHERE JUDGEMENT BEGINS “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Pet 4:17). Not everyone associated with the family of God will be saved. That’s why judgement will begin with the family of God. Please consider:
• Judas kept company with Christ and the apostles but died and went to the place where he belonged (Acts 1:25). Jesus said it would have been good for him if he had never been born (Mk. 14:21).
• Ananias and Sapphira went to church but apparently their hearts were far from God. They lied to the Holy Spirit and died because of it (Acts 5:1-11).
• A man who went to church in Corinth was at the same time involved in sexual immorality (1 Cor. 5:1-13). Unless he repented of his fornication he would not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
• Hymenaeus and Philetus were associated with the family of God but their teaching destroyed it like gangrene (2 Tim. 2:17).
• Paul warned of false apostles and deceitful workers who masqueraded as apostles of Christ (2 Cor. 11:13).
• There were immoral people in the church at Thyatira. They tolerated false teaching that seduced the people of God into sexual immorality and idolatry. If they did not repent God promised to strike their children dead (Rev. 2:23).
• Jesus said that the Kingdom of heaven was like ten virgins. Five were wise and were welcomed into the wedding banquet. Five were foolish and were denied entrance. (Matt. 25:1-13) Note! The “world” was not like ten virgins, the “Kingdom of Heaven” was.
• On judgement day many will say: “ Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then Jesus will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matt 7:22-23)
• Please note that God has never been fooled by man’s hypocrisy. He not only knows our deeds, He discerns the thoughts and intents of our heart. He wants us to repent of our lukewarmness and be saved. If we do not, however, He will spit us out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16).

Obviously these Scriptures could be multiplied. They all emphasize the fact that we are not saved by a relationship with a building or a group of friends, but by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Take another look at the story of Ananias and Sapphira. They evidently attended church without being true believers. They lied to the Holy Spirit and obviously wanted to please men more than God. It seems that there were others in Jerusalem just like them. After God struck Ananias and Sapphira dead the Bible states: “And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. No-one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” (Acts 5:12-14) Note the existence of two groups, and remember that only one group will be saved. First there were believers who met in Solomon’s Colonnade. More and more believers became a part of this group. God was adding to that number daily. Then there were the others like Ananias and Sapphira. They held the believers in high regard but did not dare join with them. Judgement begins with the family of God and true believers will ultimately be vindicated. They will endure like gold, silver, and precious stones when tried by fire. Others who do not join the believers will burn like wood, hay, and stubble (1 Cor. 3:11-15). Judgement will begin with the family of God and Peter wrote that if it is hard for righteous people to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and sinner? (1 Pet. 4:18). Perhaps even more important is the question: “What will happen to you?”