Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
The question today is what does Peter mean when he writes, “…a Father who judges each person’s work impartially…?”
Wait a minute…
Doesn’t Peter know about grace? Doesn’t he understand that if we believe in Jesus we get a pass on judgment? How can he say that God is judging our “work?” What is going on here?
I see three kinds of responses people might make to God’s offer of salvation through belief in Jesus Christ:
1. Checking the Box. (I said it, therefore, it is done. I’m in.)
2. Being the Box. (If I do this and that and give so much to the church, I’m in.)
3. Living the Box. (I believe in Jesus so I do my best to love God above all else and my neighbor as myself.)
So what does “judging” have to do with salvation by the grace of God?
In the first case, “Checking the Box,” I am referring to the people who say, “I believe” and then never bother to crack the Bible open. They believe that they are right with God and don’t really have to worry about making an effort. They never actually examine their choices in life or change how they live. In this case, there is nothing to judge. It is like showing up to take the final exam for life, putting your name on the top of the page and then leaving everything else blank.
To put in another way, if I were an employer, and I hired someone to show up on Monday at 8 AM, I would expect them to show up at the appointed time. If they didn’t, it would leave me with no way of evaluating their work. It would also leave me with the impression that they didn’t really mean what they said.
In the second case “Being the Box” means that some people see making a commitment to Christ as a set of tasks. They agree to show up for church on Sunday and they might give some money each week. Then they pick one item from Column “C”: They don’t drink, or they don’t smoke, or they don’t gamble. If they do those things, they figure that they have it covered. They might even find that they like to make boxes for other people to check.
In this case, there is something to judge. Not much, but at least there is something. God can see that they were serious enough about their commitment to show up to church and do at least one thing on the list. So what does God do with that? Honestly, I don’t know. I’m just glad I’m not God!
In the third case, “Living the Box,” I see people who internalize God. In a sense, they invite him into their mind, their heart, and their world. They get to know Him. Maybe it is out of desperation or maybe it is out of appreciation. I don’t think the reason why matters as much as what they have done.
These kinds of people change. They are “transformed” as Paul says in Romans 12: 2. Their attitude towards others changes because they recognize that God’s attitude towards them is based on love. As they come to know God better they become more humble and less inclined to judge others. In a way, they become more like God and less like the person that they were before they knew about God.
When God judges these people he is not checking a box because they showed up, or judging how well they made a box for others to check. Instead, he judges that they have believed in his Son because they have become like his Son.
Application: Let’s not put God in a box and condemn him for ”judging.” That’s His job.
Food for Thought: How would you explain what ”reverent fear” means?
PS: Feel free to comment on how today’s post ties in with our discussion the past few days.
I have a confession to make: I found this post rather uncomfortable to write. When I woke up this morning after posting it last night, I started second guessing myself. Did I handle this passage correctly? Then I remembered Matthew 13: 1-23, “The Parable of the Sower.” It would seem that there is a close parallel between what Jesus said and what I wrote. I’m not saying that they are the same, but there are striking similarities. I am looking forward to your thoughts!
This passage appears to be written to believers. They are referred to as “foreigners” in this world. The reason for fear is that God is an impartial judge. He judges each of His children’s work here on this earth. The Bema seat judgment of believers may be in mind (2 Corinthians 5: 10). Fear is not fear of condemnation if this is the case. Fear is the word phobo here – where we get phobia from. It can refer to terror or panic, but it can also refer to reverence, awe or respect. I think it means the latter in this context. As believers, we need to remember and live our lives in the understanding that while we call out to God as Abba, Father, we serve a holy God. Thus, we are to be a holy people (Leviticus 11: 44). We should live and act with a healthy reverence, awe and respect of our holy God.
Rich,
Thank you for the reference to the Bema seat. For those who may not be familiar with this reference, “Bema” is the Greek word for the raised platform that a judge sits on. For example, the word Bema is used in John 19:13 to describe the judgement seat Pilate sat on when he was contending with the Jews over the life of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 5: 10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
This is generally considered a different kind of judgment from what is called the judgment of the “great white throne.” (Revelation 20:11) It is at this judgment that “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)
So why the emphasis on judging?
The study of Jude that we did here seems to have left a mark on me. It spoke to the question of who and what is the church, but in a very oblique way.
Then there is Paul again, who writes in 1 Corinthians 5:12, “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?”
And again, today, Peter mentions that the Father judges us.
Something else to remember: The Greek word, krino, meaning “judge,” has at least five different applications. Judging behavior is not the same thing as judging one’s fitness for heaven which is the exclusive realm of God.
We are reminded that Jesus warns us about which type of judging we engage in. “In the same way you judge others, you will be judged…” (From Matthew 7: 1-6)
These are deep waters indeed.
As you your larger point about us serving a Holy God and the need to reflect that in our lives, I agree wholeheartedly.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
To add one further comment – I quoted Leviticus 11: 44, but I really did not need to go out of the immediate context at all (1 Peter 1: 13 – 16; 18 – 23). From the context and 1 Peter 1: 1, these are clearly believers and serves as a reminder to all of us that we serve a Holy God and that should be reflected in our lives. He is not only our friend and savior – He is our Lord and Master.
What does Peter mean when he writes, “a Father who judges each person’s work impartially.“
Our hearts will be opened and their contents, our works will be our judge. (how have we responded to knowledge given to each by the Holy Spirit.)
1 Corinthians 3:15, If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.
Romans 2:16, on that day when, as my gospel proclaims, GOD WILL JUDGE all the hidden thoughts and concealed sins of men THROUGH CHRIST JESUS. Also see Jeremiah 17:10, Romans 2:6,10,11
How would you explain what ”reverent fear” means?
The highest respect and reverence for our Holy, Sacred God, and a strong, healthy fear, dread of what life would be without His presence in our hearts.
Feel free to comment on how today’s post ties in with our discussion the past few days.
V14, God requires we turn from the old desires we followed before we knew the requirements and transforming power regarding salvation. V15-16, and become holy because He who called us is Holy. V17, We have been called by a Father who will justly judge the works of each child.
We are being called to choose living the revealed word of God over our desires of this world and know our works will one day be judged by God.
Ron,
You get THREE gold stars today for hitting all three points!! Well done! Thank you!! 🙂
I’m not as wise as all of you guys are with the word and I know it’s going to take a lot of work but I’m starting to see a transformation in myself the more I get into the word. I’ve decided that It would be best to part ways with my friends and I’m finding that things I use to think were funny or ok with are now embarrassing and inappropriate. I’m finding myself feeling bad about things I’ve said ( I need to work on the filter thing so I dont say them ) and apologizing right after. Rob tells me it’s the holy spirit working in me. I pray it is and it helps me faster because I keep opening my mouth and inserting my foot. I’m not great about verses but theres something said about removing my heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh. And then about being dead to sin. I’m still learning. And trying hard.
Brother Timothy,
Thank you so much for checking in here and sharing a part of your story! Rob is correct. What you describe sounds exactly like the work of the Holy Spirit.
When I think of you and the work that the Spirit is doing in you I am reminded of this story that Jesus told his disciples:
“Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15: 3-7)
There is rejoicing in heaven over every step you take in the Spirit.
Today was a blessed day. I was useful at church. I got to have the opportunity to serve and glorify our God. Mens bible study is about to start up again. I have been baptized since this first post. Read the bible in 2 months and about a book a week. I’ve served in any way I can in my church and others. I’m thankful for all the wonderful things that the Holy Spirit has done through me and with me. I’m glad I finally caught up with everything on this blog the week I’m starting up with mens bible study again. He does have a plan for everyone. Seek and you will find. I am really blessed to have such great fellowship with everyone in my life now. Thank you Jeff for sharing your faith with me and everyone. Your so encouraging all the time. Thank you for following me on this walk I’m on. I’m glad I get to call you brother. Your doing a great job being a good and faithful servant. Even with the puns.
Congratulations, Tim!
I think you might be the first one EVER to go back through all of the blog posts! Well done brother!
Now you can explain to me what I wrote… 🙂
Tim, what an amazing and encouraging post. You are one of the greatest blessings in my life.