How to Approach Fiery Trials (1 Pet. 4:12-19)

[Sung Psalm: 129]

Judgment begins with the household of God!

We've been seeing that in the opening chapters of Deuteronomy on Sunday evenings. God brought Israel – through judgment – into the Promised Land.

Now, let's be clear what we mean by judgment. Judgment does not equal condemnation. When a judge renders his verdict, he proclaims his judgment. The judgment that comes on the household of God is God's verdict.

Peter is saying that the final judgment has come. The eschatological judgment in which God vindicates his people and condemns his enemies, is beginning. But as with our savior, Jesus Christ, the beginning of the final judgment does not wait until the end of history, but begins in the middle of history.

How does this judgment come upon us? Through the fiery trials that are sent to test us...