1 Peter 4:17-19 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us… I. GOD IS FAITHFUL IN RESPONDING TO THE CLAIMS OF HIS CREATURES. Even of the animal creation this is true. God's "tender mercies are over all His works." The "springs of the valleys give drink to the beasts of the field." "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle." "Not a sparrow falleth to the ground without your Father." And surely God is faithful also in responding to the claims of man. The appetites, desires, and affections with which man has been endowed, have theft' correspondent means of satisfaction in the world around him. There is nourishment for his body — for his intellect — for his heart. If God is thus faithful in responding to the claims of His creatures, surely He is faithful also in the sense of being worthy of our trust. II. GOD IS FAITHFUL IN ADHERING TO HIS ORIGINAL PURPOSE IN CREATION. Humanity, in His idea, is a holy and blessed thing; and this idea must yet be realised. God has not created sin, but He will triumph over it. As man has chosen that he shall not be educated by standing firm, he must be educated by and through his very fall. And so the "faithful Creator" becomes the merciful Redeemer. How faithful is that love which will even send sorrow upon us — yes, and take sorrow upon itself — rather than permit us to come short of the destiny for which it created us. It is God's purpose to make you holy and blessed. For this He created you. For this Christ died. For this God is educating you. And surely, if He is thus faithful in adhering to His own purpose concerning you, He is faithful also in the sense of being worthy of your trust. If He crosses your wishes and thwarts your projects, this may be simply because He is unwilling to let you ruin yourself. He would lead you into humility. He would subdue your selfishness and self-will. He would enrich your whole spiritual nature. He would lead you to Christ or into closer sympathy with Christ. (J. C. Finlayson.). Parallel Verses KJV: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? |
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