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Answer
Judgment is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, as seen in Psalm 82:8. God’s plan includes a final judgment on the wicked and all who reject the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as payment for their sins (Matthew 10:15; Romans 2:2; Hebrews 9:27; Hebrews 10:26-27). A cursory reading of 1 Peter 4:17 seems to suggest that Christians may face God’s judgment as well: “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” Is the “judgment” that begins at the house of God the same as the judgment of the wicked?
The context of 1 Peter 4:17 provides more insight into the judgment that commences at the household of God. In this chapter, Peter is exhorting the church—the house of God—which was enduring persecution, to persevere. The believers were also grappling with separating from the former worldly sins that had previously enslaved them (verses 1–4). Peter reminds them that the wicked will face God’s judgment (verse 5) but emphasizes that believers in Christ must hold themselves to a higher standard than they once did. The “fiery trials” they were enduring were meant to refine them like gold (verse 12).
God allows difficulties and suffering in the lives of His people to purify them. When we are persecuted for the cause of Christ, we share in His sufferings (1 Peter 4:13-14). And through sharing in His suffering, we come to know Him better “that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”, (Philippians 3:10). Paul echoes this theme in Romans 8:17: “Now if…
We are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Part of God’s judgment upon sin is physical suffering. When His own children experience such suffering, it is not for our harm but to make us more like Jesus. “Judgment” for the children of God can be considered discipline (Hebrews 12:4-11). It is designed to purge the sin from our lives and teach us obedience.
A loving father does not discipline the kids down the street because they are not his. A father disciplines his own children. Likewise, the discipline of our heavenly Father begins at His own household, with His own children, the church. He is reserving for the wicked an ultimate, final judgment that His children will never experience. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1). Scripture makes a distinction between God’s purifying discipline of the church and His ultimate condemnation of the wicked: “When we are judged . . . by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.” “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:32).
In this present age, God allows painful circumstances in the lives of His own household, not to condemn but to mature, convict, and bring repentance. “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Through suffering, we learn patience. (James 1:2-4). This type of judgment is meant to encourage us to forsake selfishness and draw closer to Him «Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. », (James 4:8). The ultimate, final judgment for unbelievers will be eternal separation from God, from life, and from all that is good and beautiful (Matthew 8:11-12;Revelation 21:8).
The judgment that begins within the household of God also involves church discipline. Church discipline is not for unbelievers but for believers: “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?” «For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? », (1 Corinthians 5:12). Believers are instructed to take responsibility for other followers of Christ who may be slipping or heading toward sin «let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.», (James 5:20). First Corinthians 5:11–13 instructs us to avoid fellowship with anyone claiming to be a brother or sister in Christ but who insists on maintaining a sinful lifestyle. Jesus outlines the process for church discipline in Matthew 18:15–17. Someone who has been confronted multiple times and warned that the choices he is making are in opposition to God needs to repent. If he refuses to listen to the church, we are to turn away from him in the hope that this drastic action will bring about repentance «So that contrariwise ye ought rather to foForgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.” (see 2 Corinthians 2:7 and Galatians 6:1). As believers, we are to pursue holiness and encourage each other to pursue it as well (1 Peter 1:15-16). We are to judge ourselves as God’s household “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” (1 Corinthians 11:31). In this way, judgment begins in the house of God.
There will be another kind of judgment for all those who have been redeemed by God’s Son. Second Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” cf: Romans 14:10. This judgment for those who are “in Christ” is not to determine eternal destiny but to give rewards for godly service and faithfulness (Matthew 16:27;Revelation 22:12). Jesus commanded us to store up treasure in heaven “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.” (Luke 12:33). This treasure will be revealed at the judgment seat of Christ. This glorious day will be more like an awards ceremony than a trial because everyone present has already had their eternal fate secured when they were born again “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3).
Jesus Himself will reward us with crowns and treasure to enjoy for eternity based on our faithfulness with what He has entrusted to us “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”, (Matthew 25:21).
God’s desire is for His people to walk in holiness and fellowship with Him “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”, (Romans 8:29). Like any loving parent, God will allow His children to face consequences for rebellion. He expects those redeemed by the blood of His Son to be an example to the world. If the church does not strive for holiness, the world will see no reason to change its ways. Therefore, judgment begins within the household of God, with His own children, as He guides us to live like Jesus.
