The Daily Word of Righteousness

Saved by Judgment, continued

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. (I Peter 5:10—NIV)

If we who are righteous believers, hopefully, are struggling to keep up with the Lord as He baptizes us with fire, what will be the case when our ordeal has been concluded and God turns to the ungodly and the sinner? Their suffering will make ours appear mild.

Ever since God had a rebellion in Heaven He has determined to make an end of rebellion and sin. God is going to shake not only the earth but also Heaven. He means business! There will be no more sin when God gets through. This is why it is necessary His appointed rulers are tested to the limit by fiery trials. These trials result in our salvation.

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (I Peter 4:19—NIV)

This is Peter's advice to you if you are experiencing the chastening of the Lord. "Commit yourself to your faithful Creator and continue to do good." Do not repay evil for evil. God will use people to bring out the worst in you. Don't look to them to change; don't get bitter and start blaming people for your pain; look only to the Lord. Whatever you do, do not yield to bitterness. Keep on doing good. God will bring you forth in His time, not one moment too late. God does not enjoy having you suffer. He is bringing suffering on you to save you from sin!

Do not take any suffering for granted. Always pray for relief, and relief will come in the Lord's time.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12—NIV)

The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. (Proverbs 10:22—NIV)

In order to break out of God's prison you have to break God's laws. If you break out you will be captured and given a longer sentence, that is, unless God sees that you never are going to choose to go His way. If this happens, if God gives up on you, you are in a dangerous way indeed!

Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit so we may bear witness of His salvation and also be able to live a holy life.

Jesus baptizes us with fire so the sin may be destroyed out of us.

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11—NIV)

I hear Christians today praying for the fire of God as though it were some kind of thrill they hope to experience. Do they have no idea what it means to be baptized with fire?

When the fire of God falls on us every aspect of our personality is tested. That which is not of Christ in us begins to protest because it cannot stand the Divine Presence to this extent. Then we either will turn away from Christ and go back to our comfortable church games or else press forward into the flames.

To be continued.