Every Christian who desires to serve a godly life, a life surrendered to our Lord, will face some type of persecution.
The fiery trials that Peter is referring to are not the occasional, common to all believers type of persecution. Peter was warning them that political persecution was coming, one that would be fueled by the emperor of Rome himself, and they needed to know what to do in light of this new threat.
The world never attacks people who are religious: these are people who belong to the church, but live everyday life as if God does not exist. The Pharisees are great examples of this thought. They attended church every time the doors were open, tithed faithfully to the church, but refused to surrender, to submit or yield to the Lord.
However, fiery trial do not just happen at random, but rather are all part of God’s plans for us as faithful followers of Jesus. Then Peter jumps to where this judgment begins, in the house of God, with us as believers first.
The phrase scarcely saved means to be saved with difficulty, but not because of our Lord inability, but rather of our unwillingness. (Lot)
Lot was saved but everything he lived for, desired more of, and valued all went up in smoke. I am afraid this is the way we all are living today.
But what are we going to be judged for?
- Why am I suffering? (15)
- Am I ashamed, and glorifying God? (16)
- Am I seeking to save the lost? (17)
- We can prepare by committing ourselves to our Lord each day. (18)
This leaves asking ourselves simple questions:
1. Who are will living for as Christians?
2. At what cost to those around us?