Civil Government: Magistracy, Authority, and Romans 13: Authority

Judgment at the House of God Part 3 of 3

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Civil Government

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2012-02-09

Synopsis: In this concluding message on 1 Peter 4:17-19, Pastor Weaver emphasizes the application of the doctrine that judgment begins at the house of God. He explains that verse 19 is the practical application of verses 17-18, commanding believers who suffer according to God's will to commit their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing in well-doing. The sermon teaches that suffering is a gift from God, that we must entrust everything—our lives, health, and possessions—to Him, and that we can trust His faithfulness as our Creator.

[John Weaver] This brief series has been known as judgment at the house of God. So first Peter chapter four, verse 17, for the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God. And if it began at us, what shall the envy of them that obey not the gospel of God. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly in the center appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him and well-doing.

[John Weaver] as into a fateful creator. Now for the last two weeks we've actually looked at verses 17 and 18. And we began this discourse talking about judgment and this maxim that it always begins with the people of God or the house of God. We look basically at five points. First of all the season. He said for the time is come. And of course I pointed out how judgment is seasonal And you will remember the Bible says it came to pass at the time or the season when Kings went forth the war. Same, same truth here. There's a season for it. So judgment is seasonal. God gives a season of judgment. And then the sentence, the time has come that judgment. And I begin to explain judgment and appointed down. No judgment can be punitive, corrective or preventive. Did you get that? Linda, preventive. All right. Thank you.

[John Weaver] I still haven't had time to check that, but I'm going to check that word. All right. But anyhow, so that is the sentence. And then, of course, we looked at the source. It must begin at the house of God. I showed you how that phrase is used not only to represent the tabernacle and the temple, a physical structure, but it also represents the people of God. And then, of course, the speculation. If it first began in us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? In other words, if God judges his people, don't think he's going to slack his hand at all with his enemies. And then in verse 18, you also have there the situation, and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Now, when we come to verse 19 today, I want you to understand that practically every time I preach, I try, I endeavor to make applications of the Word of God of each of those truths. The motive behind the application is to teach you to apply the Word of God to your life.

[John Weaver] In reality, you should be making applications even if I do not. Whenever a message is preached, whenever truth is expounded, You should be asking yourself, what am I to learn from this? How is it to affect my life? How am I to change? What is to be my course of conduct after this truth? So you should be making applications, even if I do not make those applications for you. Now, let me point out that applications are extremely important.

[John Weaver] If you do not understand the importance of application, when you read your Bible, It's going to be nothing more than literature to you. I read a good book this past week on Lewis Wetzel. You say, who in the world is Lewis Wetzel? Well, he was a frontiersman. He was an Indian fighter. But the point being, it was just literature. It was true. It was an accurate history.

[John Weaver] I'll probably be able to use some of it in the future. But the point being, it's just simply literature. I've read it. I've put the book down. In fact, I've loaned the book out to someone else already.

[John Weaver] Now, if you don't learn to make applications, that's what the Bible's going to be to you. You're just simply going to read it. Oh, I read my Bible today. You're going to close it, and that's it. Biblical applications are always based upon doctrine. If you understand that all Bible doctrine is applicable, then it is imperative that you learn how to apply that doctrine to your life. In fact, all of the biblical writers always made application. Why?

[John Weaver] Because they wanted their hearers to obey the Word of God. Now, let me show you, I'm going to come back to 1 Peter 4, but let me show you one of the easiest passages to understand application. Look in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 58. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 58. Look at what the Apostle Paul says. 1 Corinthians 15 verse 58. The Apostle Paul writes, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Now look at that verse, a very simple verse. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Do you realize that verse 58 is the application of everything that the Apostle Paul is taught in 1 Corinthians chapter 15? What is he taught in 1 Corinthians chapter 15? First of all, he taught the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] And because our Lord was raised bodily from the grave, he also taught the bodily resurrection of believers. That is, we are going to be raised as Christ was raised.

[John Weaver] Now, what is he saying in verse 58? He's saying, in light of all of my teaching on the biblical doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmovable." In other words, if you understand the doctrine of the resurrection, it has to have an effect upon your life. You say, well look, What difference does it make if I'm not honored in this life? What difference does it make if I'm not recognized? What difference does it make if nothing happens to me that I think should happen to me? There is going to be a resurrection. God is going to reward the faithful. God is going to reward the obedient. And therefore, in light of the resurrection, I can be steadfast, unmovable. Why?

[John Weaver] Because I know that I can abound in the work of the Lord. for as much as I know that my labor is not in vain." So what the Apostle Paul is doing is teaching perseverance, he's teaching motivation, he's teaching application, and he says these things can be in your life if you understand the biblical doctrine of the resurrection from the dead. So, very obviously, this application then is based upon Bible doctrine and the application teaches you how to apply that Bible doctrine in every day of your life. Now, I want to point out that it should affect you every day. I want you to look, since you're in 1 Corinthians, turn right over to 2 Corinthians chapter 4 and look, if you would please, at verse 13. First, uh, second Corinthians chapter four, verse 13, the apostle writes, we having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed.

[John Weaver] And therefore have I spoken. We also believe in therefore speak.

[John Weaver] Now, the interesting thing is the apostle Paul is quoting Psalm 116 in verse 10. There David says, I believe, therefore have I spoken. I was greatly afflicted. Note he said, I believe, therefore have I spoken. Now the Apostle Paul says in verse 13, we have also this same spirit of faith. According as it is written, and he quotes Psalm 116 verse 10, I believe and therefore have I spoken. Then he makes this application, we also believe and therefore speak. In other words, what you genuinely truly believe comes out in your everyday conversation and in your everyday conduct. If you know the truth, if you genuinely believe the truth, it is impossible for that truth not to affect you and change your life. Now the opposite also true. If you don't believe the truth, It's impossible for your unbelief not to affect your life.

[John Weaver] The Bible tells us in Proverbs 4 verse 23, For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Let me put it to you very plainly. We are the products of what we believe or we are the products of what we do not believe. If you are an unbeliever, your actions, your conduct, your conversation are product of your unbelief. You still believe something, you just don't believe the word of God. But if you believe the Word of God, then it's bound to affect your life and it's just that simple. Now it's important to understand that judgment begins at the house of God. That means it begins with the people of God or in our local assemblies. That means we as children of faith are not immune to judgment.

[John Weaver] It does mean, however, that we're certainly going to be saved from the wrath to come God is not going to treat us as he treats unbelievers, but Peter does not leave us clueless as what to do when we are experiencing God's judgment. Go back, if you would, to 1 Peter chapter 4. I'm going to just point this out. After he says in verse 17, for the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God, And if it first began at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, wherefore shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Now watch verse 19, wherefore? Now let me just tell you, verse 19 is the application of what Peter has taught in verses 17 and 18. I want you to just look at the word where for right now and I want you to turn back in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 2 I'm going to make something I hope exceedingly clear at this point so whenever you see these words in the Bible you will understand that

[John Weaver] an application is being made notice if you would in Acts chapter 2 and verse 36 Peter has just gotten through preaching upon the deity of Christ and the resurrection of Christ. And he says in verse 36, Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now, notice if you would please, the therefore lets you know that Peter is drawing a conclusion or making an application based upon what he has taught in the preceding verses. In other words, verse 36 then is the culmination, it's the climax, it's the height, it's the apex of what he's been saying. What he is saying is this, if you understand what I've just taught you, therefore, you're going to know that Jesus Christ is Lord and Christ. He is the sovereign. He is the Messiah. Now, notice if you would, Peter used the word wherefore. Here he uses the word therefore. It doesn't matter if you use the word wherefore or therefore.

[John Weaver] It still refers to what is preceded. It's an application. So go back to verse 19 just for a moment. He says this, wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing as into a faithful creator. So actually what he's saying is, wherefore, that is in light of this, because of this truth that I just got out of my mouth in verses 17 and 18, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him and well-doing as unto a faithful Creator.

[John Weaver] Now, you've got to understand when you see a wherefore, or for this cause, or for this reason, or wherefore, all of those are applications based upon doctrine. So, let's look at verse 19 and try to break it down. I initially was just going to include verse 19 in the last message. And then I got to looking at it and I said, no, there's just so much truth here, it demands its own message. So, let's look at verse 19.

[John Weaver] First of all, I want you to note the persons addressed. The persons addressed. Them that suffer according to the will of God.

[John Weaver] Peter applies the truth because he has been teaching that the saints of God are going to suffer. If judgment begins at the house of God, obviously those who are suffering are members of that house. They are members of that family, the family of God.

[John Weaver] Now the Greek word for sufferer is the word Pascho, and it has reference to suffering, to being vexed, to being sick. to be in a bad plight or undergoing some test or some trial. I want to show you that this word is used not only in reference to our Lord and the apostles but saints as well. So if you would look back in your Bibles to the book of Mark chapter 8 you're going to find the exact same word here used in reference to Jesus Christ. Mark chapter 8 And look, if you would please at verse 31, Mark eight and verse 31. Look at what the Bible tells us. Our Lord is speaking. And he says this.

[John Weaver] And he began to teach them that the son of man must suffer many things and be rejected of the elders and of the chief priests and scribes and be killed. And after three days rise again, note, if you would. And he began to teach him that the son of man must suffer is exactly the same word if you would turn to 2nd Corinthians chapter 1 and look at verse 6 you'll see how that this same word is used in reference to the Apostles 2nd Corinthians chapter 1 and notice if you would what the Apostle says in verse 6 2nd Corinthians 1 verse 6 he says and whether we be afflicted It is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings, which we also suffer. Word is Pasco or whether we be comforted is for your consolation and salvation. Now, the interesting thing is the apostle Paul talks about some of the things that he suffered. Well, what were some of those things? Look in your Bibles to second Corinthians chapter 11 and let's begin reading there.

[John Weaver] with verse 22. 2 Corinthians 11 and notice verse 22. Look what the Apostle Paul says. And remember now, he says, we suffered these things. He says, are they Hebrew? So am I. Are they Israelite? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool. I am more. In labors more abundant. In stripes above measure. In prisons more frequent, in deaths often, of the Jews, five times received I-40 stripes, save one. One time they stopped at 39. And usually they always stopped at 39, unless they miscounted. But four of those times, they made sure they gave him the full 40. He says, thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, Thrice was I suffered shipwrecked, a night and day I've been in the deep, in journeyings often, in perils of water, in perils of robbers, in perils of mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils

[John Weaver] in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren, in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness, Besides those things that are without that's just the external things that which cometh upon me daily the care of all the churches Wow Did those apostles suffer and the answer's yes Did Paul suffer the answer's yes or Christians going to suffer the answer's yes look in your Bibles the first Thessalonians Turn right on over first Thessalonians chapter 3 And look at verse four, first Thessalonians chapter three, and look at verse four. Uh, first Thessalonians three and verse four for Verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation, even as it came to pass, as you know." Paul said, I tried to tell you we're going to suffer. We're not going to get out of it. Look in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 and verse 5, 2 Thessalonians 1 and verse 5, which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God.

[John Weaver] Now watch, he's talking to these Thessalonican believers, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you also suffer. Now I want to emphasize something, and I want this understood. The word applied to the sufferings of Christ. It applied to the sufferings of the apostles. It applies to the suffering of saints. But I want you to note what Peter said. Wherefore let those that suffer according to the will of God. Let me ask you, do you think the Lord Jesus Christ suffered according to the will of God? Yes. Do you think the apostle Paul and the other apostles suffered according to the will of God? The answer is yes. So when Peter writes, wherefore let those that suffer according to the will of God, I don't think Peter has in mind suffering which we bring upon ourselves due to our own sin and stupidity. Do you? Now let me tell you something, folks.

[John Weaver] There's a principle of scripture and it's plainly stated, and I'm going to sum it up, he who sins must suffer. And suffering follows sin, just as sunrise follows sunset. If you sin, you're going to suffer. If you do something stupid, you're going to suffer. That's suffering that you simply bring upon yourselves. When Peter is talking about our suffering according to the will of God, he's referring to our suffering either for righteousness sake or through some corrective or preventive suffering or judgment that God places upon us for our own benefit.

[John Weaver] Do you remember what our Lord said in Matthew chapter 5 verses 10 and 11? Let me just quote it. Our Lord says, blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my name's sake. In other words, they're lying about you. They're slandering you. What they're saying is not true. So we're not being blessed when what they say is truthful.

[John Weaver] It's kind of like one comedian, I forget his name, but he says, there's a lot of rumors going on around about me. He says, unhappily, some of them they can prove. Well, you know, no, no, no. Our Lord said, when all men say these things against you, Falsely now I do want you to turn in your Bibles back a few verses to Philippians chapter 1 and look at verse 29 It is indeed possible to suffer according to the will of God Look in Philippians 1 in verse 29 For the Bible says for unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ Not only believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake Now I want you to pay close attention to the word given For unto you it is given, that is, it is a gift, in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him. Is faith a gift? That's what the Bible says. Ephesians 2, 8, 9, For by grace are you saved through faith, that not of yourselves. It's the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.

[John Weaver] Does God give faith? Yes, God gives faith. Does God give faith to every man? The answer is no. How can I say that? Even the Apostle Paul said in 2 Thessalonians, for all men have not faith. No, faith is the gift of God. Does God give the gift of suffering? That's exactly what he says in verse 29. For unto you it is given in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Now, suffering is just as much the gift of God as faith is. And as God does not give the gift of faith to every individual, He does not give the gift of suffering to every individual, but he does indeed give the gift of suffering to some individuals. So Peter addresses these, wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God.

[John Weaver] So let's ask the question. How do we know if we're suffering according to the will of God? Well the answer should be obvious. Let's ask ourselves these questions. Am I suffering for righteousness sake? Am I suffering by way of a corrective or preventive judgment in order to humble me and teach me and correct me? Ask yourself this, is my suffering in line with the word of God? You could say it like this, if your suffering is not due to your own sin and stupidity, probably you're suffering according to the will of God. Okay? That's the easy answer. Now, let's ask another question. What is suffering according to the will of God?

[John Weaver] You have to understand that the Bible speaks about two wills. There is God's secretive will and there is God's revealed will. I want you to look in your Bibles to Deuteronomy 29, verse 29. If you ever remember one verse of the Bible, this would be a good one to memorize. Deuteronomy 29, 29. Because here we talk about God's secretive will. and God's revealed will. We know that God's revealed will is given to us in His word. So in Deuteronomy 29 verse 29 we read this, the secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed, that is His word, belonging to us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. What is God's revealed will? It is His Word. What is God's secretive will? We don't know. Well, how do I know whether or not God's secretive will is coming to fruition in my life? You will know it when it comes to pass in time and in history. Unless it comes to pass in time and in history, you don't concern yourself with God's secretive will.

[John Weaver] That's a secret. There's no way for you to know it. What you concern yourself with is His revealed will. If you obey this revealed will, I'll guarantee you, He's going to work out His secretive will in you. If you disobey His revealed will, I'll guarantee you, He'll still work out His secretive will in you. You'll find out what it is when it comes to pass in time and in history. Our main concern is God's revealed will.

[John Weaver] Now, Peter said, wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God. I want you to go back to 1 Peter, because I believe that those who suffer due to injustice, tyranny, and despotism are suffering according to the will of God. How can I say that? Well, it's not something that you're bringing upon yourself because of your own sin and stupidity. I mean, you know, look at the murders. Look at the people who have been unjustly prosecuted and unjustly incarcerated and done anything.

[John Weaver] And yet the tank rolled over them. Well, I want you to look in 1 Peter chapter 3 and verse 13. And I remember, it's amazing how when some things strike your mind, how you can remember where you are and what you were doing. I remember even the state I was in when I was reading this passage and it came out. I remember the very church I was preaching in and I read while I was there in a Western state, this passage, I was reading through first Peter, first Peter three and verse 13. Look at this.

[John Weaver] And who is he that will harm you? If you'd be followers of that, which is good. That's a good question, isn't it? And who is he that will harm you? If you'd be followers of that, which is good. I read that and all of a sudden it clicked in my mind. I said, I know the answer to that. I know who will harm you if your followers, that which is good, a wicked tyrannical civil government.

[John Weaver] And then I looked at the next verse, look at it. First Peter three and verse 14, but, and if you suffer for righteousness sake, happy, are you? But be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled." I said, what? Now look at that. Look at it together. And who is he that will harm you if you be followers of that which is good? But, and if you suffer for righteousness sake, watch, happier you, and be not afraid of what? Their terror, neither be troubled. When I read that, and I want you to turn there, Go right in your Bibles, Romans chapter 13, and look at verses 4 and 5. When I read that verse, this is the passage that immediately came to my mind. And look, if you would, how clear this is in the scripture. Romans chapter 13.

[John Weaver] Notice if you would, please. In fact, let's read verse 3. Let's read verses 3 and 4. Paul writes, for rulers are not a terror to good works. That is, that's not why God ordained them to be a terror to good works. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. God ordained them to be a terror to evil works. Will thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. For he, the civil ruler, is supposed to be the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid.

[John Weaver] For he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is the minister of God to a revenger, to execute wrath upon him, and doeth evil.

[John Weaver] Now, go back to verse three. For rulers are not a terror to good works. They are to be a terror, but not to good works. There to be a terror to evil works. Go back to 1 Peter chapter 3. And who is he that will harm you if you be followers of that which is good? And if you suffer for righteousness sake, happier you and be not afraid of what? Their, their plural, their terror. In other words, a wicked, corrupt, despotic, tyrannical civil government terrorizes good works. And they promote evil works.

[John Weaver] So, therefore, I'm just submitting to you that those who have been unjustly and despotically and tyrannically incarcerated are suffering according to the will of God. Without me getting into it, may I remind you there is a vast difference between mala in se and mala prohibita. Those are two Latin terms. They are legal terms. Mala and say refers to that which is evil in and off itself. Thou shalt not murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal, murder, theft, adultery. Those things acts are evil in and off themselves.

[John Weaver] They're violations of God's law. Mala prohibita is a violation only because man prohibits it. Do not walk on the grass. Do not drive over 60 miles an hour. You got me? You must file this paper, you must not file this paper. You must sign this way, you must not sign that way. Those things are crimes only because man said, do this or don't do this. That's all. Let me tell you, if there is a sign out there, I don't care if it's posted by a governmental official that says, do not walk on the grass, and I walk on the grass, have I become inherently evil because I've walked on the grass? No, I haven't violated God's law.

[John Weaver] Now if a policeman sees me, he might come over and give me a ticket for ten bucks and say, can't you read? Something like that. But I'm not sinful just because I've walked on the grass. I've not violated God's law. So those who suffer under tyranny are suffering, I believe, according to the will of God.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look in 1 Peter chapter 4 and verse 19 again. Because Peter gives further instructions to the person's address. First Peter four and verse 19, wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God.

[John Weaver] Now here's the act to be accomplished. Commit the keeping of their souls unto him. Wow. Now he says, if you're suffering according to the will of God, Then you must commit the keeping of your souls unto him. And the word soul means far more than just the spiritual part of our being. The word soul represents the entirety of our life. Are you listening? The word soul refers to our health, our life, our wealth, our possessions, everything that we have as beings. Everything that we are as beings. Let me show you.

[John Weaver] I want you to go back in your Bibles to Genesis chapter 46. We'll also look at this in the new Testament, but look in Genesis chapter 46, if you would please. And let's begin reading there with verse 22, Genesis 46 and verse 22. Help me out now.

[John Weaver] Watch carefully. I'm telling you that the word souls means more than just the spiritual part of your body. Verse 22, these are the sons of Rachel which were born to Jacob. All the souls were 14. Hmm, I wonder if those souls had bodies when they were born. I bet they did, don't you? So the word soul includes the body very obviously. Well, skip down if you would please to verse 25. These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bared these unto Jacob. All the souls were seven. Well, did they have bodies? Well, of course they did. Look in verse 26. All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six. Now watch this. All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt. Did they bring their bodies? Yes, they did. Did they bring their clothes? Yes, they did. Did they bring their possessions? Yes, they did. The word souls there refers to everything about their being.

[John Weaver] Now, if you would turn in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 27. Acts chapter 27. And look if you would please at verse 37. Acts 27 verse 37.

[John Weaver] Acts 27 verse 37. The apostle Paul is on a ship with a lot of individuals. There's a storm and notice what the Bible says. Acts 27 in verse 37. And we were in all the ship, 203 score and 16 souls. So that's 276 men.

[John Weaver] They had bodies. They also had their possessions with them because you'll remember that's what they threw over the ship to lighten the load in the storm. So the word souls there includes the totality of our being. It includes our bodies. It includes our possessions.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to go back to 1 Peter chapter 4 and I want you to again to look at verse 19 at what this says. 1 Peter 4 verse 19, Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him. What are you to commit to Him? Everything that you are, everything that you have. Your body, your health, your life, your possessions. Now the word commit is the Greek word paratithe me.

[John Weaver] And it happens to be a present passive imperative. An imperative in English and in Greek is a command. So here's something that God is commanding you. If you're suffering according to the will of God, he's commanding you to commit the keeping of your soul unto him. Para is a preposition which means alongside of. Tithami is a verb which means to cause to stand or to set before or to beside or near. So what is God saying? God is saying you need to commit, you need to cast, you need to place alongside of and in front of me and before me your health, your life, your possessions, everything that you have committed all to me. Entrust it to me. Deposit it with me. Charge it to me.

[John Weaver] Now, if you will look in 1 Peter 5 and verse 7, Peter uses another word, but it's essentially the same. Look in 1 Peter 5 and verse 7. He says, Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you. Casting and committing are one and the same. You cast your care, your possessions, your burden, your life, your health. You cast it all upon him. For he cared for you. I read one author one time who said most people who cast their care upon our Lord trip over all the ropes they left tied to them as they walk away, which means of course they never really did any casting or committing anyhow. But look at this.

[John Weaver] The persons address them that suffer according to the will of God. And then he says, the act to be accomplished, that is commit the keeping of their souls.

[John Weaver] Now watch the understanding to be achieved. There's an understanding here. Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing. Let's look at the word well-doing. You do not simply commit the keeping of your souls to him. You do that in well-doing. You know what the word well-doing means? It refers to the right course of action. Something that is virtuous, something that is praiseworthy, that which is done in obedience to God. I want to show you how Peter uses this phrase, well-doing, so you can understand it. Look in 1 Peter.

[John Weaver] Chapter 2 and verse 15. 1 Peter 2 and verse 15. In well-doing, once again now, means the right course of action, the right course of conduct, that which is virtuous and praiseworthy. So 1 Peter 2, look in verse 15, Peter writes, For so is the will of God, that with well-doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. How do you put to silence? Put to silence the ignorance of foolish men by obeying, by doing that which is right, by doing that which is holy. You're not going to silence them by disobedience. They're going to talk more. You're not going to silence them by being angry and vindictive and hateful and ugly. They're going to talk more. He says the way you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men is by well-doing. That is a course of right action, doing that which is virtuous and praiseworthy so that your life proves them wrong. Look in your Bibles to 1 Peter 3 and verse 17. 1 Peter 3 verse 17, you'll see this same word again.

[John Weaver] Peter writes, for it is better if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing than for evil doing. Well, here's the contrast. Well doing is doing that which is holy and right. Evil doing is doing that which is wicked and wrong. So God tells us if we're suffering according to the will of God, then we must commit our souls unto him in well doing. In other words, what God says is this, it is obedience. And it is righteousness to commit our souls unto Him.

[John Weaver] Have you ever stopped to think that our Heavenly Father is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake? I don't care what we go through. I don't care what sufferings we endure. He is still too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake. So we are to commit our souls unto him in well-doing. It is the right course of action.

[John Weaver] It is that which God has commanded us to do. Now, one last point today. the recognition to be attained, as unto a faithful Creator. As unto a faithful Creator. What are we to recognize as we suffer according to the will of God, committing our souls unto Him in well-doing, we are to recognize that He is a faithful Deuteronomy chapter 7 verse 9 teaches us, listen carefully, Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant

[John Weaver] and mercy with them that love Him, and keep His commandments to a thousand generations. He is the faithful God. In 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 24 the Bible says this, is He who calleth you who also will do it." Have you ever stopped to think what it would have been like if Adam had never sinned, if sin had never entered in this world? Can you imagine the relationship that every creature would have with its Creator? You see, sin destroyed that original relationship between creature and creator. But it is faith that restores that relationship so that the believer, living to the will of God, rests implicitly upon the creator.

[John Weaver] I want to give you two quotes. The first one is just one long paragraph. It's by Albert Barnes. But I want you to listen to what he says. In reference to the fateful creator. I love this. He says, God may be trusted. Or confided in, in all his attributes and in all the relations, which he sustains as creator, redeemer, moral governor, and judge in these. And in all other respects, we may come before him with confidence and put unwavering trust in him. As Creator particularly, as one who has brought us and all creatures and all things into being, we may be sure that he will be faithful to the design which he had in view. From that design, he will never depart until it is fully accomplished.

[John Weaver] He abandons no purpose which he has formed, and we may be assured that he will faithfully pursue it to the end. As our Creator, we may come to him And look to him for his protection and care. He made us. He had a design in our creation. He so endowed us that we may live forever. And so that we may honor and enjoy him. Are you listening?

[John Weaver] He did not create us so that we might be miserable, nor does he wish that we should be. He formed us in such a way that if we choose, we may be eternally happy. In that path in which he appointed us to go, if we pursue it, we may be sure of his aid and protection. If we really aim to accomplish the purposes for which we were made, we may be certain that he will show himself to be a faithful creator, one in whom we may always confide. And even though we have wandered from him and have long forgotten why we were made, and have loved and served the creature more than the creator, we may be sure if we will return to Him that He will not forget the design for which He originally made us. As our Creator, we may still confide in Him, redeemed by the blood of His Son and renewed by His Spirit after the image of Him created us. We may still go to Him as our Creator and may pray that even yet the high noble ends for which we were made may be accomplished in us.

[John Weaver] Doing this, we shall find Him as true to that purpose as though we had never sinned. Wow. God did not make us to be miserable. He made us to be holy. And if we're holy, we're going to find that we're going to be happy. Happiness is not something that you just find. Happiness is something that you stumble upon in the path of duty and obedience. John Gill said it like this, talking about committing our souls unto him and well-doing as a faithful creator. He said, it is not only their duty, but their privilege. And the sense is that when they are called to suffer for Christ, they should commit their calls to God, who as he is, the creator is the governor of the universe and will judge righteously. And when they're even called to lay down their lives for his sake, they shall not lose them though their bodies are killed. They may and should commit their souls when departing from their bodies into the hands of God, as Stephen, the first martyr, committed his into the hands of Christ in imitation of him, where he that made them, as he is able to keep them, will faithfully preserve them in happiness and glory till the

[John Weaver] resurrection morn, when their bodies shall be raised and reunited to them. And this is to be performed in well-doing, for which they suffer and in which they should continue to the last, Not rendering evil for evil, but blessing and an invitation of Christ and his servant, Stephen pray for their worst enemies and wish them all good and do them all the acts of kindness that lie in their power.

[John Weaver] Now, let me tell you what Peter is actually telling us. Here it is. No holes barred, plain and simple. Suffering is bound to occur. Sooner or later, even as Christians, we're going to suffer. There's no way out of it. But Peter is also telling us this, that our Heavenly Father is only fateful to chastise us and to judge us when we need it. He is also equally faithful in sustaining us in that chastisement and delivering us out of that chastisement.

[John Weaver] One of my favorite verses is found in Lamentations 3 in verse 33. Let me just quote it. For he doth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. God is not some mean old man up in heaven with a huge rod in his hand just waiting to beat the living daylights out of somebody. No. I know our children would disagree with your answer, but let me ask you, how many of you as fathers or mothers ever really enjoyed whipping the daylights out of your children. None of us.

[John Weaver] We only did it because it had to be done. We didn't enjoy it. I used to think my father was lying when he said, now son, this gives me no pleasure. Until I got grown, I kind of thought he enjoyed it. He did such a good job of it, you know. He put his whole heart in it. I tell everybody we had a peach tree behind our house. That thing never did bloom until after I left home. Dad always got those tree limbs for me. But our Heavenly Father doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

[John Weaver] And when He does, you'll remember the passage in Hebrews 12, 10 and 11 which I quoted last week. The Bible says, now no chastening at the present It's joyous! It's grievous! Nevertheless, afterwards, it yielded the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them that are exercised thereby. And the Bible tells us, our fleshly fathers chastened us after their pleasure, but He for our profit, that we might be made partakers of His righteousness. And so Peter says, when we suffer, We need to understand that we have a responsibility, we have a command.

[John Weaver] We need to commit the keeping of our souls, our lives, our bodies, our health, our families, our possessions, everything we have, into the hands of a fateful Creator. I find it absolutely amazing and wonderfully delightful, that we may still come to the sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God of the universe and say, Father, help me. And He's willing and ready. He's the faithful Creator. Let's pray. Father, we're so thankful today for your love and for your grace and for your truth.

[John Weaver] And we ask dear Lord that you would teach us indeed by faithfulness, as well as your graciousness and kindness. And we want to acknowledge today, Lord, that everything we are, everything we have, everything we ever will have or ever will be. is only ours because of your marvelous grace and mercy. Because every good gift and every perfect gift cometh down from above, from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. And we rejoice in thee today, Lord.

[John Weaver] Make us holy, make us godly. In thy precious name we ask and pray. Amen.

Judgment at the House of God Part 3 of 3

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	M416__CbtzQ
Subject	Civil Government
Course	Civil Government: Magistracy, Authority, and Romans 13: Authority
Genre	Sermon
Date	2012-02-09
Dictation Name
Book	Book 155: Judgment at the House of God — Chapter 3
Source Timed Segments	71

Formatted Transcript

Introduction and Review

Recap of the series on 1 Peter 4:17-18, covering the season, sentence, source, speculation, and situation of judgment.

This brief series has been known as

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 4:17-19

"Judgment at the House of God."

So 1 Peter chapter 4, verse 17:

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 4:17-19

"For the time has 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? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator."

Now for the last two weeks we've actually looked at verses 17 and 18. And we began this discourse talking about judgment and this maxim that it always begins with the people of God or the house of God. We looked basically at five points. First of all, the season. He said, "For the time is come." And of course I pointed out how judgment is seasonal. And you will remember the Bible says, "It came to pass at the time or the season when kings went forth to war." Same truth here. There's a season for it. So judgment is seasonal. God gives a season of judgment. And then the sentence: "The time has come that judgment..." And I began to explain judgment and pointed out, no, judgment can be punitive, corrective, or preventive. Did you get that? Linda, preventive. All right. Thank you.

I still haven't had time to check that, but I'm going to check that word. All right. But anyhow, so that is the sentence. And then, of course, we looked at the source. "It must begin at the house of God." I showed you how that phrase is used not only to represent the tabernacle and the temple, a physical structure, but it also represents the people of God. And then, of course, the speculation. "If it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?" In other words, if God judges His people, don't think He's going to slack His hand at all with His enemies. And then in verse 18, you also have there the situation: "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" Now, when we come to verse 19 today, I want you to understand that practically every time I preach, I try, I endeavor to make applications of the Word of God of each of those truths. The motive behind the application is to teach you to apply the Word of God to your life.

The Importance of Application

Application is essential to make the Bible more than literature; all doctrine is applicable, and believers should learn to apply truth to their lives.

In reality, you should be making applications even if I do not. Whenever a message is preached, whenever truth is expounded, you should be asking yourself, "What am I to learn from this? How is it to affect my life? How am I to change? What is to be my course of conduct after this truth?" So you should be making applications, even if I do not make those applications for you. Now, let me point out that applications are extremely important. If you do not understand the importance of application, when you read your Bible, it's going to be nothing more than literature to you. I read a good book this past week on Lewis Wetzel. You say, "Who in the world is Lewis Wetzel?" Well, he was a frontiersman. He was an Indian fighter. But the point being, it was just literature. It was true. It was an accurate history.

I'll probably be able to use some of it in the future. But the point being, it's just simply literature. I've read it. I've put the book down. In fact, I've loaned the book out to someone else already.

Now, if you don't learn to make applications, that's what the Bible's going to be to you. You're just simply going to read it. "Oh, I read my Bible today." You're going to close it, and that's it. Biblical applications are always based upon doctrine. If you understand that all Bible doctrine is applicable, then it is imperative that you learn how to apply that doctrine to your life. In fact, all of the biblical writers always made application. Why?

Biblical Examples of Application

1 Corinthians 15:58 applies the doctrine of resurrection to steadfastness; 2 Corinthians 4:13 shows that genuine belief affects speech and conduct.

Because they wanted their hearers to obey the Word of God. Now, let me show you—I'm going to come back to 1 Peter 4—but let me show you one of the easiest passages to understand application. Look in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 58. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 58. Look at what the Apostle Paul says. 1 Corinthians 15 verse 58. The Apostle Paul writes,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:58

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Now look at that verse, a very simple verse.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:58

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Do you realize that verse 58 is the application of everything that the Apostle Paul has taught in 1 Corinthians chapter 15? What is he taught in 1 Corinthians chapter 15? First of all, he taught the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And because our Lord was raised bodily from the grave, he also taught the bodily resurrection of believers. That is, we are going to be raised as Christ was raised. Now, what is he saying in verse 58? He's saying, in light of all of my teaching on the biblical doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable." In other words, if you understand the doctrine of the resurrection, it has to have an effect upon your life. You say, "Well look, what difference does it make if I'm not honored in this life? What difference does it make if I'm not recognized? What difference does it make if nothing happens to me that I think should happen to me? There is going to be a resurrection. God is going to reward the faithful. God is going to reward the obedient. And therefore, in light of the resurrection, I can be steadfast, unmovable. Why?

Because I know that I can abound in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as I know that my labour is not in vain." So what the Apostle Paul is doing is teaching perseverance, he's teaching motivation, he's teaching application, and he says these things can be in your life if you understand the biblical doctrine of the resurrection from the dead. So, very obviously, this application then is based upon Bible doctrine and the application teaches you how to apply that Bible doctrine in every day of your life. Now, I want to point out that it should affect you every day. I want you to look, since you're in 1 Corinthians, turn right over to 2 Corinthians chapter 4 and look, if you would please, at verse 13. 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 13, the apostle writes, "We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak."

And therefore have I spoken. We also believe, and therefore speak. Now, the interesting thing is the apostle Paul is quoting Psalm 116 in verse 10. There David says, "I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted." Note he said, "I believed, therefore have I spoken." Now the Apostle Paul says in verse 13, "We have also this same spirit of faith, according as it is written," and he quotes Psalm 116 verse 10, "I believed, and therefore have I spoken." Then he makes this application, "We also believe, and therefore speak." In other words, what you genuinely truly believe comes out in your everyday conversation and in your everyday conduct. If you know the truth, if you genuinely believe the truth, it is impossible for that truth not to affect you and change your life. Now the opposite is also true. If you don't believe the truth, it's impossible for your unbelief not to affect your life.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 4:23

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 4 verse 23, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Let me put it to you very plainly. We are the products of what we believe or we are the products of what we do not believe. If you are an unbeliever, your actions, your conduct, your conversation are products of your unbelief. You still believe something, you just don't believe the Word of God. But if you believe the Word of God, then it's bound to affect your life and it's just that simple. Now it's important to understand that judgment begins at the house of God. That means it begins with the people of God or in our local assemblies. That means we as children of faith are not immune to judgment.

Verse 19 as Application of Judgment Doctrine

The 'wherefore' in verse 19 signals the application of the preceding teaching on judgment, calling those who suffer according to God's will to commit their souls to Him.

It does mean, however, that we're certainly going to be saved from the wrath to come. God is not going to treat us as He treats unbelievers, but Peter does not leave us clueless as to what to do when we are experiencing God's judgment. Go back, if you would, to 1 Peter chapter 4. I'm going to just point this out. After he says in verse 17, "For the time has 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? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" Now watch verse 19, "Wherefore..." Now let me just tell you, verse 19 is the application of what Peter has taught in verses 17 and 18. I want you to just look at the word "wherefore" right now and I want you to turn back in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 2. I'm going to make something, I hope, exceedingly clear at this point so whenever you see these words in the Bible you will understand that

an application is being made. Notice if you would in Acts chapter 2 and verse 36. Peter has just gotten through preaching upon the deity of Christ and the resurrection of Christ. And he says in verse 36,

Scripture Reading — Acts 2:36

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Now, notice if you would please, the "therefore" lets you know that Peter is drawing a conclusion or making an application based upon what he has taught in the preceding verses. In other words, verse 36 then is the culmination, it's the climax, it's the height, it's the apex of what he's been saying. What he is saying is this: if you understand what I've just taught you, therefore, you're going to know that Jesus Christ is Lord and Christ. He is the sovereign. He is the Messiah. Now, notice if you would, Peter used the word "wherefore." Here he uses the word "therefore." It doesn't matter if you use the word "wherefore" or "therefore."

It still refers to what is preceded. It's an application. So go back to verse 19 just for a moment. He says this, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator." So actually what he's saying is, "Wherefore," that is, in light of this, because of this truth that I just got out of my mouth in verses 17 and 18, "let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator."

Now, you've got to understand when you see a "wherefore," or "for this cause," or "for this reason," or "wherefore," all of those are applications based upon doctrine. So, let's look at verse 19 and try to break it down. I initially was just going to include verse 19 in the last message. And then I got to looking at it and I said, "No, there's just so much truth here, it demands its own message." So, let's look at verse 19. First of all, I want you to note the persons addressed. The persons addressed: "them that suffer according to the will of God."

The Persons Addressed: Those Who Suffer According to God's Will

Suffering (paschō) is experienced by Christ, apostles, and saints; suffering according to God's will is not due to personal sin but for righteousness' sake or corrective purposes.

Peter applies the truth because he has been teaching that the saints of God are going to suffer. If judgment begins at the house of God, obviously those who are suffering are members of that house. They are members of that family, the family of God. Now the Greek word for "suffer" is the word paschō, and it has reference to suffering, to being vexed, to being sick, to be in a bad plight or undergoing some test or some trial. I want to show you that this word is used not only in reference to our Lord and the apostles but saints as well. So if you would look back in your Bibles to the book of Mark chapter 8 you're going to find the exact same word here used in reference to Jesus Christ. Mark chapter 8 and look, if you would please, at verse 31. Mark 8 and verse 31. Look at what the Bible tells us. Our Lord is speaking. And he says this.

"And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again." Note, if you would, "And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer"—is exactly the same word. If you would turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 1 and look at verse 6, you'll see how that this same word is used in reference to the apostles. 2 Corinthians chapter 1 and notice if you would what the apostle says in verse 6. 2 Corinthians 1 verse 6, he says, "And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer"—word is paschō—"or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation." Now, the interesting thing is the apostle Paul talks about some of the things that he suffered. Well, what were some of those things? Look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 11 and let's begin reading there.

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 1:6

with verse 22. 2 Corinthians 11 and notice verse 22. Look what the Apostle Paul says. And remember now, he says, "We suffered these things." He says, "Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one." One time they stopped at 39. And usually they always stopped at 39, unless they miscounted. But four of those times, they made sure they gave him the full 40. He says, "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils

in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." Wow. Did those apostles suffer? And the answer's yes. Did Paul suffer? The answer's yes. Are Christians going to suffer? The answer's yes. Look in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians. Turn right on over to 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 and look at verse 4. 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 and look at verse 4. 1 Thessalonians 3 and verse 4: "For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know." Paul said, "I tried to tell you we're going to suffer. We're not going to get out of it." Look in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 and verse 5. 2 Thessalonians 1 and verse 5: "Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God,

that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer." Now I want to emphasize something, and I want this understood. The word applied to the sufferings of Christ. It applied to the sufferings of the apostles. It applies to the suffering of saints. But I want you to note what Peter said. "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God." Let me ask you, do you think the Lord Jesus Christ suffered according to the will of God? Yes. Do you think the apostle Paul and the other apostles suffered according to the will of God? The answer is yes. So when Peter writes, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God," I don't think Peter has in mind suffering which we bring upon ourselves due to our own sin and stupidity. Do you? Now let me tell you something, folks.

There's a principle of scripture and it's plainly stated, and I'm going to sum it up: he who sins must suffer. And suffering follows sin, just as sunrise follows sunset. If you sin, you're going to suffer. If you do something stupid, you're going to suffer. That's suffering that you simply bring upon yourselves. When Peter is talking about our suffering according to the will of God, he's referring to our suffering either for righteousness' sake or through some corrective or preventive suffering or judgment that God places upon us for our own benefit. Do you remember what our Lord said in Matthew chapter 5 verses 10 and 11? Let me just quote it. Our Lord says, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." In other words, they're lying about you. They're slandering you. What they're saying is not true. So we're not being blessed when what they say is truthful.

It's kind of like one comedian, I forget his name, but he says, "There's a lot of rumors going on around about me." He says, "Unhappily, some of them they can prove." Well, you know, no, no, no. Our Lord said, "When all men say these things against you falsely." Now I do want you to turn in your Bibles back a few verses to Philippians chapter 1 and look at verse 29. It is indeed possible to suffer according to the will of God. Look in Philippians 1 in verse 29. For the Bible says, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Now I want you to pay close attention to the word "given." "For unto you it is given," that is, it is a gift, "in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him." Is faith a gift? That's what the Bible says. Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."

Does God give faith? Yes, God gives faith. Does God give faith to every man? The answer is no. How can I say that? Even the Apostle Paul said in 2 Thessalonians, "For all men have not faith." No, faith is the gift of God. Does God give the gift of suffering? That's exactly what he says in verse 29. "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Now, suffering is just as much the gift of God as faith is. And as God does not give the gift of faith to every individual, He does not give the gift of suffering to every individual, but He does indeed give the gift of suffering to some individuals. So Peter addresses these, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God."

So let's ask the question. How do we know if we're suffering according to the will of God? Well the answer should be obvious. Let's ask ourselves these questions. Am I suffering for righteousness' sake? Am I suffering by way of a corrective or preventive judgment in order to humble me and teach me and correct me? Ask yourself this: is my suffering in line with the Word of God? You could say it like this: if your suffering is not due to your own sin and stupidity, probably you're suffering according to the will of God. Okay? That's the easy answer. Now, let's ask another question. What is suffering according to the will of God?

God's Secretive and Revealed Will

Deuteronomy 29:29 distinguishes God's secret will (unknown until fulfilled) from His revealed will (Scripture); believers focus on obeying the revealed will.

You have to understand that the Bible speaks about two wills. There is God's secretive will and there is God's revealed will. I want you to look in your Bibles to Deuteronomy 29, verse 29. If you ever remember one verse of the Bible, this would be a good one to memorize. Deuteronomy 29:29. Because here we talk about God's secretive will and God's revealed will. We know that God's revealed will is given to us in His Word. So in Deuteronomy 29 verse 29 we read this:

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 29:29

"The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."

What is God's revealed will? It is His Word. What is God's secretive will? We don't know. Well, how do I know whether or not God's secretive will is coming to fruition in my life? You will know it when it comes to pass in time and in history. Unless it comes to pass in time and in history, you don't concern yourself with God's secretive will.

That's a secret. There's no way for you to know it. What you concern yourself with is His revealed will. If you obey this revealed will, I'll guarantee you, He's going to work out His secretive will in you. If you disobey His revealed will, I'll guarantee you, He'll still work out His secretive will in you. You'll find out what it is when it comes to pass in time and in history. Our main concern is God's revealed will.

Suffering Under Tyranny as God's Will

Suffering from unjust, tyrannical government is according to God's will; 1 Peter 3:13-14 and Romans 13:3-4 contrast righteous suffering with terror from evil rulers.

Now, Peter said, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God." I want you to go back to 1 Peter, because I believe that those who suffer due to injustice, tyranny, and despotism are suffering according to the will of God. How can I say that? Well, it's not something that you're bringing upon yourself because of your own sin and stupidity. I mean, you know, look at the murders. Look at the people who have been unjustly prosecuted and unjustly incarcerated and done anything. And yet the tank rolled over them. Well, I want you to look in 1 Peter chapter 3 and verse 13. And I remember, it's amazing how when some things strike your mind, how you can remember where you are and what you were doing. I remember even the state I was in when I was reading this passage and it came out. I remember the very church I was preaching in and I read while I was there in a Western state, this passage, I was reading through 1 Peter. 1 Peter 3 and verse 13. Look at this.

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 3:13-14

"And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?"

That's a good question, isn't it?

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 3:13-14

"And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?"

I read that and all of a sudden it clicked in my mind. I said,

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 3:13-14

"I know the answer to that. I know who will harm you if you're followers of that which is good: a wicked tyrannical civil government."

And then I looked at the next verse, look at it. 1 Peter 3 and verse 14,

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 3:13-14

"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled."

I said, "What?" Now look at that. Look at it together. "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled." When I read that, and I want you to turn there, go right in your Bibles, Romans chapter 13, and look at verses 4 and 5. When I read that verse, this is the passage that immediately came to my mind. And look, if you would, how clear this is in the scripture. Romans chapter 13.

Notice if you would, please. In fact, let's read verse 3. Let's read verses 3 and 4. Paul writes, "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." For he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Now, go back to verse 3. "For rulers are not a terror to good works." They are to be a terror, but not to good works. They're to be a terror to evil works. Go back to 1 Peter chapter 3. "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? And if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror." Their, plural, their terror. In other words, a wicked, corrupt, despotic, tyrannical civil government terrorizes good works. And they promote evil works.

So, therefore, I'm just submitting to you that those who have been unjustly and despotically and tyrannically incarcerated are suffering according to the will of God. Without me getting into it, may I remind you there is a vast difference between mala in se and mala prohibita. Those are two Latin terms. They are legal terms. Mala in se refers to that which is evil in and of itself. Thou shalt not murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Murder, theft, adultery—those acts are evil in and of themselves.

They're violations of God's law. Mala prohibita is a violation only because man prohibits it. Do not walk on the grass. Do not drive over 60 miles an hour. You got me? You must file this paper, you must not file this paper. You must sign this way, you must not sign that way. Those things are crimes only because man said, "Do this" or "Don't do this." That's all. Let me tell you, if there is a sign out there, I don't care if it's posted by a governmental official that says, "Do not walk on the grass," and I walk on the grass, have I become inherently evil because I've walked on the grass? No, I haven't violated God's law.

Now if a policeman sees me, he might come over and give me a ticket for ten bucks and say, "Can't you read?" Something like that. But I'm not sinful just because I've walked on the grass. I've not violated God's law. So those who suffer under tyranny are suffering, I believe, according to the will of God.

Now, I want you to look in 1 Peter chapter 4 and verse 19 again. Because Peter gives further instructions to the persons addressed. 1 Peter 4 and verse 19, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God..."

The Act to Be Accomplished: Commit Your Souls to God

The command 'commit' (paratithēmi) means to entrust everything—life, body, possessions—to God; 'soul' represents the totality of one's being (Genesis 46; Acts 27:37).

Now here's the act to be accomplished. "Commit the keeping of their souls unto him." Wow. Now he says, if you're suffering according to the will of God, then you must commit the keeping of your souls unto him. And the word "soul" means far more than just the spiritual part of our being. The word "soul" represents the entirety of our life. Are you listening? The word "soul" refers to our health, our life, our wealth, our possessions, everything that we have as beings. Everything that we are as beings. Let me show you.

I want you to go back in your Bibles to Genesis chapter 46. We'll also look at this in the New Testament, but look in Genesis chapter 46, if you would please. And let's begin reading there with verse 22. Genesis 46 and verse 22. Help me out now.

Watch carefully. I'm telling you that the word "souls" means more than just the spiritual part of your body. Verse 22, "These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen." Hmm, I wonder if those souls had bodies when they were born. I bet they did, don't you? So the word "soul" includes the body very obviously. Well, skip down if you would please to verse 25. "These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were seven." Well, did they have bodies? Well, of course they did. Look in verse 26. "All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six." Now watch this. "All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt." Did they bring their bodies? Yes, they did. Did they bring their clothes? Yes, they did. Did they bring their possessions? Yes, they did. The word "souls" there refers to everything about their being.

Now, if you would turn in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 27. Acts chapter 27. And look if you would please at verse 37. Acts 27 verse 37.

Acts 27 verse 37. The apostle Paul is on a ship with a lot of individuals. There's a storm and notice what the Bible says. Acts 27 in verse 37:

Scripture Reading — Acts 27:37

"And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls."

So that's 276 men.

They had bodies. They also had their possessions with them because you'll remember that's what they threw over the ship to lighten the load in the storm. So the word "souls" there includes the totality of our being. It includes our bodies. It includes our possessions.

Now, I want you to go back to 1 Peter chapter 4 and I want you to again look at verse 19 at what this says. 1 Peter 4 verse 19, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him." What are you to commit to Him? Everything that you are, everything that you have. Your body, your health, your life, your possessions. Now the word "commit" is the Greek word paratithēmi. And it happens to be a present passive imperative. An imperative in English and in Greek is a command. So here's something that God is commanding you. If you're suffering according to the will of God, He's commanding you to commit the keeping of your soul unto Him. Para is a preposition which means "alongside of." Tithēmi is a verb which means "to cause to stand" or "to set before" or "to beside or near." So what is God saying? God is saying you need to commit, you need to cast, you need to place alongside of and in front of me and before me your health, your life, your possessions, everything that you have. Commit it all to me. Entrust it to me. Deposit it with me. Charge it to me.

Now, if you will look in 1 Peter 5 and verse 7, Peter uses another word, but it's essentially the same. Look in 1 Peter 5 and verse 7. He says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 5:7

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Casting and committing are one and the same. You cast your care, your possessions, your burden, your life, your health. You cast it all upon him. For he careth for you. I read one author one time who said most people who cast their care upon our Lord trip over all the ropes they left tied to them as they walk away, which means of course they never really did any casting or committing anyhow. But look at this.

Commit in Well-Doing

Well-doing is right, virtuous conduct; committing our souls must be accompanied by obedience and righteous living (1 Peter 2:15; 3:17).

Now watch the understanding to be achieved. There's an understanding here. "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing." Let's look at the word "well-doing." You do not simply commit the keeping of your souls to him. You do that in well-doing. You know what the word "well-doing" means? It refers to the right course of action. Something that is virtuous, something that is praiseworthy, that which is done in obedience to God. I want to show you how Peter uses this phrase, "well-doing," so you can understand it. Look in 1 Peter.

Chapter 2 and verse 15. 1 Peter 2 and verse 15. "In well-doing," once again now, means the right course of action, the right course of conduct, that which is virtuous and praiseworthy. So 1 Peter 2, look in verse 15, Peter writes, "For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 2:15

" How do you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men? By obeying, by doing that which is right, by doing that which is holy. You're not going to silence them by disobedience. They're going to talk more. You're not going to silence them by being angry and vindictive and hateful and ugly. They're going to talk more. He says the way you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men is by well-doing. That is a course of right action, doing that which is virtuous and praiseworthy so that your life proves them wrong. Look in your Bibles to 1 Peter 3 and verse 17. 1 Peter 3 verse 17, you'll see this same word again.

Peter writes, "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing." Well, here's the contrast. Well-doing is doing that which is holy and right. Evil-doing is doing that which is wicked and wrong. So God tells us if we're suffering according to the will of God, then we must commit our souls unto him in well-doing. In other words, what God says is this: it is obedience. And it is righteousness to commit our souls unto Him. Have you ever stopped to think that our Heavenly Father is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake? I don't care what we go through. I don't care what sufferings we endure. He is still too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake. So we are to commit our souls unto him in well-doing. It is the right course of action.

Recognition of God as Faithful Creator

We trust God as faithful Creator who keeps covenant; sin disrupted the creature-Creator relationship, but faith restores it, allowing us to confide in His purposes.

It is that which God has commanded us to do. Now, one last point today: the recognition to be attained, "as unto a faithful Creator." As unto a faithful Creator. What are we to recognize as we suffer according to the will of God, committing our souls unto Him in well-doing? We are to recognize that He is a faithful Creator. Deuteronomy chapter 7 verse 9 teaches us, listen carefully, "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations." He is the faithful God. In 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 24 the Bible says this, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." Have you ever stopped to think what it would have been like if Adam had never sinned, if sin had never entered into this world? Can you imagine the relationship that every creature would have with its Creator? You see, sin destroyed that original relationship between creature and Creator. But it is faith that restores that relationship so that the believer, living to the will of God, rests implicitly upon the Creator.

I want to give you two quotes. The first one is just one long paragraph. It's by Albert Barnes. But I want you to listen to what he says. In reference to the faithful Creator. I love this. He says, "God may be trusted, or confided in, in all his attributes and in all the relations which he sustains as Creator, Redeemer, moral Governor, and Judge. In these, and in all other respects, we may come before him with confidence and put unwavering trust in him. As Creator particularly, as one who has brought us and all creatures and all things into being, we may be sure that he will be faithful to the design which he had in view. From that design he will never depart until it is fully accomplished.

He abandons no purpose which he has formed, and we may be assured that he will faithfully pursue it to the end. As our Creator, we may come to him and look to him for his protection and care. He made us. He had a design in our creation. He so endowed us that we may live forever, and so that we may honor and enjoy him." Are you listening? "He did not create us so that we might be miserable, nor does he wish that we should be. He formed us in such a way that if we choose, we may be eternally happy. In that path in which he appointed us to go, if we pursue it, we may be sure of his aid and protection. If we really aim to accomplish the purposes for which we were made, we may be certain that he will show himself to be a faithful Creator, one in whom we may always confide. And even though we have wandered from him and have long forgotten why we were made, and have loved and served the creature more than the Creator, we may be sure if we will return to him that he will not forget the design for which he originally made us. As our Creator, we may still confide in him, redeemed by the blood of his Son and renewed by his Spirit after the image of him that created us. We may still go to him as our Creator and may pray that even yet the high noble ends for which we were made may be accomplished in us.

Conclusion: God's Faithfulness in Suffering

God does not afflict willingly (Lamentations 3:33); He sustains and delivers. We are commanded to commit all to our faithful Creator, who works for our holiness.

Doing this, we shall find him as true to that purpose as though we had never sinned." Wow. God did not make us to be miserable. He made us to be holy. And if we're holy, we're going to find that we're going to be happy. Happiness is not something that you just find. Happiness is something that you stumble upon in the path of duty and obedience. John Gill said it like this, talking about committing our souls unto him in well-doing as a faithful Creator. He said, "It is not only their duty, but their privilege. And the sense is that when they are called to suffer for Christ, they should commit their souls to God, who as he is the Creator is the Governor of the universe and will judge righteously. And when they're even called to lay down their lives for his sake, they shall not lose them though their bodies are killed. They may and should commit their souls when departing from their bodies into the hands of God, as Stephen, the first martyr, committed his into the hands of Christ in imitation of him, where he that made them, as he is able to keep them, will faithfully preserve them in happiness and glory till the

resurrection morn, when their bodies shall be raised and reunited to them. And this is to be performed in well-doing, for which they suffer and in which they should continue to the last, not rendering evil for evil, but blessing and in imitation of Christ and his servant Stephen, pray for their worst enemies and wish them all good and do them all the acts of kindness that lie in their power." Now, let me tell you what Peter is actually telling us. Here it is. No holds barred, plain and simple. Suffering is bound to occur. Sooner or later, even as Christians, we're going to suffer. There's no way out of it. But Peter is also telling us this, that our Heavenly Father is not only faithful to chastise us and to judge us when we need it, He is also equally faithful in sustaining us in that chastisement and delivering us out of that chastisement.

One of my favorite verses is found in Lamentations 3 in verse 33. Let me just quote it. "For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." God is not some mean old man up in heaven with a huge rod in his hand just waiting to beat the living daylights out of somebody. No. I know our children would disagree with your answer, but let me ask you, how many of you as fathers or mothers ever really enjoyed whipping the daylights out of your children? None of us. We only did it because it had to be done. We didn't enjoy it. I used to think my father was lying when he said, "Now son, this gives me no pleasure." Until I got grown, I kind of thought he enjoyed it. He did such a good job of it, you know. He put his whole heart in it. I tell everybody we had a peach tree behind our house. That thing never did bloom until after I left home. Dad always got those tree limbs for me. But our Heavenly Father doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

And when He does, you'll remember the passage in Hebrews 12:10-11 which I quoted last week. The Bible says, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." And the Bible tells us, "For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness." And so Peter says, when we suffer, we need to understand that we have a responsibility, we have a command. We need to commit the keeping of our souls, our lives, our bodies, our health, our families, our possessions, everything we have, into the hands of a faithful Creator. I find it absolutely amazing and wonderfully delightful, that we may still come to the sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God of the universe and say, "Father, help me." And He's willing and ready. He's the faithful Creator. Let's pray. Father, we're so thankful today for your love and for your grace and for your truth.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Application of Doctrine

Summary: Biblical truth must be applied to life; doctrine without application is mere literature. Believers should actively seek to apply Scripture.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'If you do not understand the importance of application, when you read your Bible, it's going to be nothing more than literature to you.' He uses 1 Corinthians 15:58 and 2 Corinthians 4:13 as examples.

Suffering According to God's Will

Summary: Suffering is a gift from God, not always due to personal sin. It includes suffering for righteousness' sake and under unjust tyranny.

Evidence: Weaver explains Philippians 1:29: 'For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.' He distinguishes suffering from sin versus suffering for righteousness.

Committing Our Souls to God

Summary: Believers are commanded to entrust every aspect of their being—life, health, possessions—to God, especially in suffering.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'What are you to commit to Him? Everything that you are, everything that you have. Your body, your health, your life, your possessions.' He references Genesis 46 and Acts 27:37 to show 'soul' means the whole person.

Well-Doing in Suffering

Summary: Committing our souls to God must be accompanied by righteous conduct; suffering is not an excuse for sin.

Evidence: Weaver cites 1 Peter 2:15 and 3:17, emphasizing that well-doing silences foolish men and is better than evil-doing.

God's Faithfulness as Creator

Summary: God can be trusted as the faithful Creator who keeps His purposes; He does not abandon His design for our lives.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Albert Barnes: 'As our Creator, we may come to him and look to him for his protection and care... He abandons no purpose which he has formed.'

Key Arguments

Verse 19 is the application of verses 17-18

Summary: The word 'wherefore' indicates that Peter is drawing a practical conclusion from the doctrine of judgment, commanding believers to commit their souls to God.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Now watch verse 19, "Wherefore..." Now let me just tell you, verse 19 is the application of what Peter has taught in verses 17 and 18.'

Suffering is a gift from God

Summary: Philippians 1:29 teaches that suffering for Christ's sake is given by God just as faith is given; it is not a punishment but a privilege.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Suffering is just as much the gift of God as faith is.'

Suffering under tyranny is according to God's will

Summary: When believers suffer from unjust governments, they suffer for righteousness' sake, as 1 Peter 3:13-14 indicates, contrasting with Romans 13's ideal ruler.

Evidence: Weaver argues, 'A wicked, corrupt, despotic, tyrannical civil government terrorizes good works. And they promote evil works.'

The command to commit is a present passive imperative

Summary: The Greek word 'commit' is a command, meaning to entrust or deposit alongside God; it is not optional but required for those suffering.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'It happens to be a present passive imperative. An imperative in English and in Greek is a command.'

God is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake

Summary: Even in suffering, believers can trust God's character; He does not afflict willingly but for our profit and holiness.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Have you ever stopped to think that our Heavenly Father is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake?'

Scripture References

1 Peter 4:17-19

Context: The primary text of the series; verse 19 is the focus of this message as the application of judgment doctrine.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Context: Used as an example of application: the doctrine of resurrection leads to steadfastness and abounding in the Lord's work.

2 Corinthians 4:13

Context: Shows that genuine belief results in speaking and living out that belief; application of Psalm 116:10.

Proverbs 4:23

Context: Cited to support that we are products of what we believe; 'as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.'

Acts 2:36

Context: Example of 'therefore' introducing an application: Peter concludes that Jesus is Lord and Christ based on his preaching.

Mark 8:31

Context: Shows the word 'suffer' (paschō) used of Christ's suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:6

Context: Shows the word 'suffer' used of apostolic suffering.

2 Corinthians 11:22-28

Context: Paul's catalog of sufferings, illustrating the extent of apostolic suffering.

1 Thessalonians 3:4

Context: Paul told believers they would suffer tribulation; suffering is expected for Christians.

2 Thessalonians 1:5

Context: Suffering is a manifest token of God's righteous judgment, making believers worthy of the kingdom.

Matthew 5:10-11

Context: Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness' sake; suffering for Christ is blessed.

Philippians 1:29

Context: Suffering for Christ is a gift given by God, just as faith is a gift.

Deuteronomy 29:29

Context: Distinguishes God's secret will from His revealed will; believers focus on the revealed will in Scripture.

1 Peter 3:13-14

Context: Who will harm you if you do good? Yet if you suffer for righteousness, you are blessed; don't fear their terror.

Romans 13:3-4

Context: Rulers are not a terror to good works but to evil; contrasts with tyrannical government that terrorizes good.

Genesis 46:22,25-26

Context: The word 'souls' includes the whole person—body, possessions—as seen in the count of Jacob's family.

Acts 27:37

Context: The 276 'souls' on the ship included their bodies and possessions, showing 'soul' means the entire being.

1 Peter 5:7

Context: Casting all care upon God is parallel to committing our souls; He cares for us.

1 Peter 2:15

Context: Well-doing silences the ignorance of foolish men; right conduct is a testimony.

1 Peter 3:17

Context: It is better to suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing; contrasts righteous and wicked suffering.

Historical References

Lewis Wetzel

Context: Mentioned as an example of reading a book that was mere literature without application; Wetzel was a frontiersman and Indian fighter.

Albert Barnes

Context: Quoted at length on God as faithful Creator; Barnes was a 19th-century American theologian and commentator.

John Gill

Context: Quoted on committing souls to God in well-doing; Gill was an 18th-century English Baptist pastor and theologian.

Stephen the first martyr

Context: Cited as an example of committing his spirit to Christ at death (Acts 7:59).

Important Quotes

If you do not understand the importance of application, when you read your Bible, it's going to be nothing more than literature to you.

Significance: Emphasizes the necessity of applying Scripture to avoid treating it as mere information.

We are the products of what we believe or we are the products of what we do not believe.

Significance: Highlights the formative power of belief or unbelief on conduct and character.

Suffering is just as much the gift of God as faith is.

Significance: Reframes suffering as a divine gift, not merely a hardship, based on Philippians 1:29.

Have you ever stopped to think that our Heavenly Father is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake?

Significance: Encourages trust in God's character amid suffering.

He abandons no purpose which he has formed, and we may be assured that he will faithfully pursue it to the end.

Significance: Quoting Albert Barnes, affirms God's faithfulness to His creative purposes.

For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

Significance: From Lamentations 3:33, assures that God takes no pleasure in affliction.

Discussion Questions

Why is application essential when reading the Bible, and how can we practice it daily?

Context: Weaver stresses that without application, the Bible becomes mere literature.

How does the doctrine of the resurrection motivate steadfastness in our work for the Lord?

Context: Based on 1 Corinthians 15:58, Weaver shows that resurrection hope fuels perseverance.

What does it mean to suffer according to the will of God, and how can we discern if our suffering fits this description?

Context: Weaver distinguishes suffering for righteousness from suffering due to personal sin.

In what ways is suffering a gift from God, and how should this perspective change our response to trials?

Context: Philippians 1:29 is cited to show suffering is given by God.

How can we practically 'commit the keeping of our souls' to God in the midst of suffering?

Context: Weaver explains the command to entrust everything to God.

What does 'well-doing' look like when we are suffering, and why is it important?

Context: 1 Peter 2:15 and 3:17 emphasize righteous conduct even in hardship.

How does recognizing God as our faithful Creator provide comfort and strength during trials?

Context: Weaver quotes Barnes and Gill on God's faithfulness to His purposes.

Applications

Apply Scripture to your life

Summary: Whenever you read or hear the Bible, ask how it should change your conduct, beliefs, or attitudes.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Whenever a message is preached, whenever truth is expounded, you should be asking yourself, "What am I to learn from this? How is it to affect my life?"'

Examine your suffering

Summary: Determine if your suffering is due to personal sin or for righteousness' sake; if the latter, recognize it as God's will.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Am I suffering for righteousness' sake? Am I suffering by way of a corrective or preventive judgment?'

Entrust everything to God

Summary: In times of suffering, consciously commit your health, family, possessions, and future to God's care.

Evidence: Weaver commands, 'Commit the keeping of your souls to him. Everything that you are, everything that you have.'

Continue in righteous living

Summary: Do not let suffering lead you to sin; instead, persist in well-doing as a testimony.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'You do not simply commit the keeping of your souls to him. You do that in well-doing.'

Trust God's character

Summary: Remind yourself that God is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake, even when you don't understand your circumstances.

Evidence: Weaver declares, 'Our Heavenly Father is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T14:36:17Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T03:17:02Z

Clean Transcript

Judgment at the House of God Part 3 of 3

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

This brief series has been known as "Judgment at the House of God." So 1 Peter chapter 4, verse 17: "For the time has 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? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
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Now for the last two weeks we've actually looked at verses 17 and 18. And we began this discourse talking about judgment and this maxim that it always begins with the people of God or the house of God. We looked basically at five points. First of all, the season. He said, "For the time is come." And of course I pointed out how judgment is seasonal. And you will remember the Bible says, "It came to pass at the time or the season when kings went forth to war." Same truth here. There's a season for it. So judgment is seasonal. God gives a season of judgment. And then the sentence: "The time has come that judgment..." And I began to explain judgment and pointed out, no, judgment can be punitive, corrective, or preventive. Did you get that? Linda, preventive. All right. Thank you.
#2 | 0:45 to 1:47 | cleaned
I still haven't had time to check that, but I'm going to check that word. All right. But anyhow, so that is the sentence. And then, of course, we looked at the source. "It must begin at the house of God." I showed you how that phrase is used not only to represent the tabernacle and the temple, a physical structure, but it also represents the people of God. And then, of course, the speculation. "If it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?" In other words, if God judges His people, don't think He's going to slack His hand at all with His enemies. And then in verse 18, you also have there the situation: "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" Now, when we come to verse 19 today, I want you to understand that practically every time I preach, I try, I endeavor to make applications of the Word of God of each of those truths. The motive behind the application is to teach you to apply the Word of God to your life.
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In reality, you should be making applications even if I do not. Whenever a message is preached, whenever truth is expounded, you should be asking yourself, "What am I to learn from this? How is it to affect my life? How am I to change? What is to be my course of conduct after this truth?" So you should be making applications, even if I do not make those applications for you. Now, let me point out that applications are extremely important.
#4 | 2:58 to 3:33 | cleaned
If you do not understand the importance of application, when you read your Bible, it's going to be nothing more than literature to you. I read a good book this past week on Lewis Wetzel. You say, "Who in the world is Lewis Wetzel?" Well, he was a frontiersman. He was an Indian fighter. But the point being, it was just literature. It was true. It was an accurate history.
#5 | 3:34 to 4:00 | cleaned
I'll probably be able to use some of it in the future. But the point being, it's just simply literature. I've read it. I've put the book down. In fact, I've loaned the book out to someone else already.
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Now, if you don't learn to make applications, that's what the Bible's going to be to you. You're just simply going to read it. "Oh, I read my Bible today." You're going to close it, and that's it. Biblical applications are always based upon doctrine. If you understand that all Bible doctrine is applicable, then it is imperative that you learn how to apply that doctrine to your life. In fact, all of the biblical writers always made application. Why?
#7 | 4:12 to 4:44 | cleaned
Because they wanted their hearers to obey the Word of God. Now, let me show you—I'm going to come back to 1 Peter 4—but let me show you one of the easiest passages to understand application. Look in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 58. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 58. Look at what the Apostle Paul says. 1 Corinthians 15 verse 58. The Apostle Paul writes, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Now look at that verse, a very simple verse. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Do you realize that verse 58 is the application of everything that the Apostle Paul has taught in 1 Corinthians chapter 15? What is he taught in 1 Corinthians chapter 15? First of all, he taught the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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And because our Lord was raised bodily from the grave, he also taught the bodily resurrection of believers. That is, we are going to be raised as Christ was raised.
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Now, what is he saying in verse 58? He's saying, in light of all of my teaching on the biblical doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable." In other words, if you understand the doctrine of the resurrection, it has to have an effect upon your life. You say, "Well look, what difference does it make if I'm not honored in this life? What difference does it make if I'm not recognized? What difference does it make if nothing happens to me that I think should happen to me? There is going to be a resurrection. God is going to reward the faithful. God is going to reward the obedient. And therefore, in light of the resurrection, I can be steadfast, unmovable. Why?
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Because I know that I can abound in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as I know that my labour is not in vain." So what the Apostle Paul is doing is teaching perseverance, he's teaching motivation, he's teaching application, and he says these things can be in your life if you understand the biblical doctrine of the resurrection from the dead. So, very obviously, this application then is based upon Bible doctrine and the application teaches you how to apply that Bible doctrine in every day of your life. Now, I want to point out that it should affect you every day. I want you to look, since you're in 1 Corinthians, turn right over to 2 Corinthians chapter 4 and look, if you would please, at verse 13. 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 13, the apostle writes, "We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak."
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And therefore have I spoken. We also believe, and therefore speak.
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Now, the interesting thing is the apostle Paul is quoting Psalm 116 in verse 10. There David says, "I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted." Note he said, "I believed, therefore have I spoken." Now the Apostle Paul says in verse 13, "We have also this same spirit of faith, according as it is written," and he quotes Psalm 116 verse 10, "I believed, and therefore have I spoken." Then he makes this application, "We also believe, and therefore speak." In other words, what you genuinely truly believe comes out in your everyday conversation and in your everyday conduct. If you know the truth, if you genuinely believe the truth, it is impossible for that truth not to affect you and change your life. Now the opposite is also true. If you don't believe the truth, it's impossible for your unbelief not to affect your life.
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The Bible tells us in Proverbs 4 verse 23, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Let me put it to you very plainly. We are the products of what we believe or we are the products of what we do not believe. If you are an unbeliever, your actions, your conduct, your conversation are products of your unbelief. You still believe something, you just don't believe the Word of God. But if you believe the Word of God, then it's bound to affect your life and it's just that simple. Now it's important to understand that judgment begins at the house of God. That means it begins with the people of God or in our local assemblies. That means we as children of faith are not immune to judgment.
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It does mean, however, that we're certainly going to be saved from the wrath to come. God is not going to treat us as He treats unbelievers, but Peter does not leave us clueless as to what to do when we are experiencing God's judgment. Go back, if you would, to 1 Peter chapter 4. I'm going to just point this out. After he says in verse 17, "For the time has 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? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" Now watch verse 19, "Wherefore..." Now let me just tell you, verse 19 is the application of what Peter has taught in verses 17 and 18. I want you to just look at the word "wherefore" right now and I want you to turn back in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 2. I'm going to make something, I hope, exceedingly clear at this point so whenever you see these words in the Bible you will understand that
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an application is being made. Notice if you would in Acts chapter 2 and verse 36. Peter has just gotten through preaching upon the deity of Christ and the resurrection of Christ. And he says in verse 36, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Now, notice if you would please, the "therefore" lets you know that Peter is drawing a conclusion or making an application based upon what he has taught in the preceding verses. In other words, verse 36 then is the culmination, it's the climax, it's the height, it's the apex of what he's been saying. What he is saying is this: if you understand what I've just taught you, therefore, you're going to know that Jesus Christ is Lord and Christ. He is the sovereign. He is the Messiah. Now, notice if you would, Peter used the word "wherefore." Here he uses the word "therefore." It doesn't matter if you use the word "wherefore" or "therefore."
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It still refers to what is preceded. It's an application. So go back to verse 19 just for a moment. He says this, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator." So actually what he's saying is, "Wherefore," that is, in light of this, because of this truth that I just got out of my mouth in verses 17 and 18, "let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
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Now, you've got to understand when you see a "wherefore," or "for this cause," or "for this reason," or "wherefore," all of those are applications based upon doctrine. So, let's look at verse 19 and try to break it down. I initially was just going to include verse 19 in the last message. And then I got to looking at it and I said, "No, there's just so much truth here, it demands its own message." So, let's look at verse 19.
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First of all, I want you to note the persons addressed. The persons addressed: "them that suffer according to the will of God."
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Peter applies the truth because he has been teaching that the saints of God are going to suffer. If judgment begins at the house of God, obviously those who are suffering are members of that house. They are members of that family, the family of God.
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Now the Greek word for "suffer" is the word paschō, and it has reference to suffering, to being vexed, to being sick, to be in a bad plight or undergoing some test or some trial. I want to show you that this word is used not only in reference to our Lord and the apostles but saints as well. So if you would look back in your Bibles to the book of Mark chapter 8 you're going to find the exact same word here used in reference to Jesus Christ. Mark chapter 8 and look, if you would please, at verse 31. Mark 8 and verse 31. Look at what the Bible tells us. Our Lord is speaking. And he says this.
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"And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again." Note, if you would, "And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer"—is exactly the same word. If you would turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 1 and look at verse 6, you'll see how that this same word is used in reference to the apostles. 2 Corinthians chapter 1 and notice if you would what the apostle says in verse 6. 2 Corinthians 1 verse 6, he says, "And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer"—word is paschō—"or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation." Now, the interesting thing is the apostle Paul talks about some of the things that he suffered. Well, what were some of those things? Look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 11 and let's begin reading there.
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with verse 22. 2 Corinthians 11 and notice verse 22. Look what the Apostle Paul says. And remember now, he says, "We suffered these things." He says, "Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one." One time they stopped at 39. And usually they always stopped at 39, unless they miscounted. But four of those times, they made sure they gave him the full 40. He says, "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils
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in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." Wow. Did those apostles suffer? And the answer's yes. Did Paul suffer? The answer's yes. Are Christians going to suffer? The answer's yes. Look in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians. Turn right on over to 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 and look at verse 4. 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 and look at verse 4. 1 Thessalonians 3 and verse 4: "For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know." Paul said, "I tried to tell you we're going to suffer. We're not going to get out of it." Look in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 and verse 5. 2 Thessalonians 1 and verse 5: "Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God,
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that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer." Now I want to emphasize something, and I want this understood. The word applied to the sufferings of Christ. It applied to the sufferings of the apostles. It applies to the suffering of saints. But I want you to note what Peter said. "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God." Let me ask you, do you think the Lord Jesus Christ suffered according to the will of God? Yes. Do you think the apostle Paul and the other apostles suffered according to the will of God? The answer is yes. So when Peter writes, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God," I don't think Peter has in mind suffering which we bring upon ourselves due to our own sin and stupidity. Do you? Now let me tell you something, folks.
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There's a principle of scripture and it's plainly stated, and I'm going to sum it up: he who sins must suffer. And suffering follows sin, just as sunrise follows sunset. If you sin, you're going to suffer. If you do something stupid, you're going to suffer. That's suffering that you simply bring upon yourselves. When Peter is talking about our suffering according to the will of God, he's referring to our suffering either for righteousness' sake or through some corrective or preventive suffering or judgment that God places upon us for our own benefit.
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Do you remember what our Lord said in Matthew chapter 5 verses 10 and 11? Let me just quote it. Our Lord says, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." In other words, they're lying about you. They're slandering you. What they're saying is not true. So we're not being blessed when what they say is truthful.
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It's kind of like one comedian, I forget his name, but he says, "There's a lot of rumors going on around about me." He says, "Unhappily, some of them they can prove." Well, you know, no, no, no. Our Lord said, "When all men say these things against you falsely." Now I do want you to turn in your Bibles back a few verses to Philippians chapter 1 and look at verse 29. It is indeed possible to suffer according to the will of God. Look in Philippians 1 in verse 29. For the Bible says, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Now I want you to pay close attention to the word "given." "For unto you it is given," that is, it is a gift, "in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him." Is faith a gift? That's what the Bible says. Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
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Does God give faith? Yes, God gives faith. Does God give faith to every man? The answer is no. How can I say that? Even the Apostle Paul said in 2 Thessalonians, "For all men have not faith." No, faith is the gift of God. Does God give the gift of suffering? That's exactly what he says in verse 29. "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Now, suffering is just as much the gift of God as faith is. And as God does not give the gift of faith to every individual, He does not give the gift of suffering to every individual, but He does indeed give the gift of suffering to some individuals. So Peter addresses these, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God."
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So let's ask the question. How do we know if we're suffering according to the will of God? Well the answer should be obvious. Let's ask ourselves these questions. Am I suffering for righteousness' sake? Am I suffering by way of a corrective or preventive judgment in order to humble me and teach me and correct me? Ask yourself this: is my suffering in line with the Word of God? You could say it like this: if your suffering is not due to your own sin and stupidity, probably you're suffering according to the will of God. Okay? That's the easy answer. Now, let's ask another question. What is suffering according to the will of God?
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You have to understand that the Bible speaks about two wills. There is God's secretive will and there is God's revealed will. I want you to look in your Bibles to Deuteronomy 29, verse 29. If you ever remember one verse of the Bible, this would be a good one to memorize. Deuteronomy 29:29. Because here we talk about God's secretive will and God's revealed will. We know that God's revealed will is given to us in His Word. So in Deuteronomy 29 verse 29 we read this: "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." What is God's revealed will? It is His Word. What is God's secretive will? We don't know. Well, how do I know whether or not God's secretive will is coming to fruition in my life? You will know it when it comes to pass in time and in history. Unless it comes to pass in time and in history, you don't concern yourself with God's secretive will.
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That's a secret. There's no way for you to know it. What you concern yourself with is His revealed will. If you obey this revealed will, I'll guarantee you, He's going to work out His secretive will in you. If you disobey His revealed will, I'll guarantee you, He'll still work out His secretive will in you. You'll find out what it is when it comes to pass in time and in history. Our main concern is God's revealed will.
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Now, Peter said, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God." I want you to go back to 1 Peter, because I believe that those who suffer due to injustice, tyranny, and despotism are suffering according to the will of God. How can I say that? Well, it's not something that you're bringing upon yourself because of your own sin and stupidity. I mean, you know, look at the murders. Look at the people who have been unjustly prosecuted and unjustly incarcerated and done anything.
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And yet the tank rolled over them. Well, I want you to look in 1 Peter chapter 3 and verse 13. And I remember, it's amazing how when some things strike your mind, how you can remember where you are and what you were doing. I remember even the state I was in when I was reading this passage and it came out. I remember the very church I was preaching in and I read while I was there in a Western state, this passage, I was reading through 1 Peter. 1 Peter 3 and verse 13. Look at this.
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"And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" That's a good question, isn't it? "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" I read that and all of a sudden it clicked in my mind. I said, "I know the answer to that. I know who will harm you if you're followers of that which is good: a wicked tyrannical civil government."
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And then I looked at the next verse, look at it. 1 Peter 3 and verse 14, "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled." I said, "What?" Now look at that. Look at it together. "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled." When I read that, and I want you to turn there, go right in your Bibles, Romans chapter 13, and look at verses 4 and 5. When I read that verse, this is the passage that immediately came to my mind. And look, if you would, how clear this is in the scripture. Romans chapter 13.
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Notice if you would, please. In fact, let's read verse 3. Let's read verses 3 and 4. Paul writes, "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."
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For he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
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Now, go back to verse 3. "For rulers are not a terror to good works." They are to be a terror, but not to good works. They're to be a terror to evil works. Go back to 1 Peter chapter 3. "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? And if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror." Their, plural, their terror. In other words, a wicked, corrupt, despotic, tyrannical civil government terrorizes good works. And they promote evil works.
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So, therefore, I'm just submitting to you that those who have been unjustly and despotically and tyrannically incarcerated are suffering according to the will of God. Without me getting into it, may I remind you there is a vast difference between mala in se and mala prohibita. Those are two Latin terms. They are legal terms. Mala in se refers to that which is evil in and of itself. Thou shalt not murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Murder, theft, adultery—those acts are evil in and of themselves.
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They're violations of God's law. Mala prohibita is a violation only because man prohibits it. Do not walk on the grass. Do not drive over 60 miles an hour. You got me? You must file this paper, you must not file this paper. You must sign this way, you must not sign that way. Those things are crimes only because man said, "Do this" or "Don't do this." That's all. Let me tell you, if there is a sign out there, I don't care if it's posted by a governmental official that says, "Do not walk on the grass," and I walk on the grass, have I become inherently evil because I've walked on the grass? No, I haven't violated God's law.
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Now if a policeman sees me, he might come over and give me a ticket for ten bucks and say, "Can't you read?" Something like that. But I'm not sinful just because I've walked on the grass. I've not violated God's law. So those who suffer under tyranny are suffering, I believe, according to the will of God.
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Now, I want you to look in 1 Peter chapter 4 and verse 19 again. Because Peter gives further instructions to the persons addressed. 1 Peter 4 and verse 19, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God..."
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Now here's the act to be accomplished. "Commit the keeping of their souls unto him." Wow. Now he says, if you're suffering according to the will of God, then you must commit the keeping of your souls unto him. And the word "soul" means far more than just the spiritual part of our being. The word "soul" represents the entirety of our life. Are you listening? The word "soul" refers to our health, our life, our wealth, our possessions, everything that we have as beings. Everything that we are as beings. Let me show you.
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I want you to go back in your Bibles to Genesis chapter 46. We'll also look at this in the New Testament, but look in Genesis chapter 46, if you would please. And let's begin reading there with verse 22. Genesis 46 and verse 22. Help me out now.
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Watch carefully. I'm telling you that the word "souls" means more than just the spiritual part of your body. Verse 22, "These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen." Hmm, I wonder if those souls had bodies when they were born. I bet they did, don't you? So the word "soul" includes the body very obviously. Well, skip down if you would please to verse 25. "These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were seven." Well, did they have bodies? Well, of course they did. Look in verse 26. "All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six." Now watch this. "All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt." Did they bring their bodies? Yes, they did. Did they bring their clothes? Yes, they did. Did they bring their possessions? Yes, they did. The word "souls" there refers to everything about their being.
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Now, if you would turn in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 27. Acts chapter 27. And look if you would please at verse 37. Acts 27 verse 37.
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Acts 27 verse 37. The apostle Paul is on a ship with a lot of individuals. There's a storm and notice what the Bible says. Acts 27 in verse 37: "And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls." So that's 276 men.
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They had bodies. They also had their possessions with them because you'll remember that's what they threw over the ship to lighten the load in the storm. So the word "souls" there includes the totality of our being. It includes our bodies. It includes our possessions.
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Now, I want you to go back to 1 Peter chapter 4 and I want you to again look at verse 19 at what this says. 1 Peter 4 verse 19, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him." What are you to commit to Him? Everything that you are, everything that you have. Your body, your health, your life, your possessions. Now the word "commit" is the Greek word paratithēmi.
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And it happens to be a present passive imperative. An imperative in English and in Greek is a command. So here's something that God is commanding you. If you're suffering according to the will of God, He's commanding you to commit the keeping of your soul unto Him. Para is a preposition which means "alongside of." Tithēmi is a verb which means "to cause to stand" or "to set before" or "to beside or near." So what is God saying? God is saying you need to commit, you need to cast, you need to place alongside of and in front of me and before me your health, your life, your possessions, everything that you have. Commit it all to me. Entrust it to me. Deposit it with me. Charge it to me.
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Now, if you will look in 1 Peter 5 and verse 7, Peter uses another word, but it's essentially the same. Look in 1 Peter 5 and verse 7. He says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Casting and committing are one and the same. You cast your care, your possessions, your burden, your life, your health. You cast it all upon him. For he careth for you. I read one author one time who said most people who cast their care upon our Lord trip over all the ropes they left tied to them as they walk away, which means of course they never really did any casting or committing anyhow. But look at this.
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The persons addressed: "them that suffer according to the will of God." And then he says, the act to be accomplished, that is, "commit the keeping of their souls."
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Now watch the understanding to be achieved. There's an understanding here. "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing." Let's look at the word "well-doing." You do not simply commit the keeping of your souls to him. You do that in well-doing. You know what the word "well-doing" means? It refers to the right course of action. Something that is virtuous, something that is praiseworthy, that which is done in obedience to God. I want to show you how Peter uses this phrase, "well-doing," so you can understand it. Look in 1 Peter.
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Chapter 2 and verse 15. 1 Peter 2 and verse 15. "In well-doing," once again now, means the right course of action, the right course of conduct, that which is virtuous and praiseworthy. So 1 Peter 2, look in verse 15, Peter writes, "For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." How do you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men? By obeying, by doing that which is right, by doing that which is holy. You're not going to silence them by disobedience. They're going to talk more. You're not going to silence them by being angry and vindictive and hateful and ugly. They're going to talk more. He says the way you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men is by well-doing. That is a course of right action, doing that which is virtuous and praiseworthy so that your life proves them wrong. Look in your Bibles to 1 Peter 3 and verse 17. 1 Peter 3 verse 17, you'll see this same word again.
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Peter writes, "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing." Well, here's the contrast. Well-doing is doing that which is holy and right. Evil-doing is doing that which is wicked and wrong. So God tells us if we're suffering according to the will of God, then we must commit our souls unto him in well-doing. In other words, what God says is this: it is obedience. And it is righteousness to commit our souls unto Him.
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Have you ever stopped to think that our Heavenly Father is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake? I don't care what we go through. I don't care what sufferings we endure. He is still too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake. So we are to commit our souls unto him in well-doing. It is the right course of action.
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It is that which God has commanded us to do. Now, one last point today: the recognition to be attained, "as unto a faithful Creator." As unto a faithful Creator. What are we to recognize as we suffer according to the will of God, committing our souls unto Him in well-doing? We are to recognize that He is a faithful Creator. Deuteronomy chapter 7 verse 9 teaches us, listen carefully, "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant
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and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations." He is the faithful God. In 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 24 the Bible says this, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." Have you ever stopped to think what it would have been like if Adam had never sinned, if sin had never entered into this world? Can you imagine the relationship that every creature would have with its Creator? You see, sin destroyed that original relationship between creature and Creator. But it is faith that restores that relationship so that the believer, living to the will of God, rests implicitly upon the Creator.
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I want to give you two quotes. The first one is just one long paragraph. It's by Albert Barnes. But I want you to listen to what he says. In reference to the faithful Creator. I love this. He says, "God may be trusted, or confided in, in all his attributes and in all the relations which he sustains as Creator, Redeemer, moral Governor, and Judge. In these, and in all other respects, we may come before him with confidence and put unwavering trust in him. As Creator particularly, as one who has brought us and all creatures and all things into being, we may be sure that he will be faithful to the design which he had in view. From that design he will never depart until it is fully accomplished.
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He abandons no purpose which he has formed, and we may be assured that he will faithfully pursue it to the end. As our Creator, we may come to him and look to him for his protection and care. He made us. He had a design in our creation. He so endowed us that we may live forever, and so that we may honor and enjoy him." Are you listening?
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"He did not create us so that we might be miserable, nor does he wish that we should be. He formed us in such a way that if we choose, we may be eternally happy. In that path in which he appointed us to go, if we pursue it, we may be sure of his aid and protection. If we really aim to accomplish the purposes for which we were made, we may be certain that he will show himself to be a faithful Creator, one in whom we may always confide. And even though we have wandered from him and have long forgotten why we were made, and have loved and served the creature more than the Creator, we may be sure if we will return to him that he will not forget the design for which he originally made us. As our Creator, we may still confide in him, redeemed by the blood of his Son and renewed by his Spirit after the image of him that created us. We may still go to him as our Creator and may pray that even yet the high noble ends for which we were made may be accomplished in us.
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Doing this, we shall find him as true to that purpose as though we had never sinned." Wow. God did not make us to be miserable. He made us to be holy. And if we're holy, we're going to find that we're going to be happy. Happiness is not something that you just find. Happiness is something that you stumble upon in the path of duty and obedience. John Gill said it like this, talking about committing our souls unto him in well-doing as a faithful Creator. He said, "It is not only their duty, but their privilege. And the sense is that when they are called to suffer for Christ, they should commit their souls to God, who as he is the Creator is the Governor of the universe and will judge righteously. And when they're even called to lay down their lives for his sake, they shall not lose them though their bodies are killed. They may and should commit their souls when departing from their bodies into the hands of God, as Stephen, the first martyr, committed his into the hands of Christ in imitation of him, where he that made them, as he is able to keep them, will faithfully preserve them in happiness and glory till the
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resurrection morn, when their bodies shall be raised and reunited to them. And this is to be performed in well-doing, for which they suffer and in which they should continue to the last, not rendering evil for evil, but blessing and in imitation of Christ and his servant Stephen, pray for their worst enemies and wish them all good and do them all the acts of kindness that lie in their power."
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Now, let me tell you what Peter is actually telling us. Here it is. No holds barred, plain and simple. Suffering is bound to occur. Sooner or later, even as Christians, we're going to suffer. There's no way out of it. But Peter is also telling us this, that our Heavenly Father is not only faithful to chastise us and to judge us when we need it, He is also equally faithful in sustaining us in that chastisement and delivering us out of that chastisement.
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One of my favorite verses is found in Lamentations 3 in verse 33. Let me just quote it. "For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." God is not some mean old man up in heaven with a huge rod in his hand just waiting to beat the living daylights out of somebody. No. I know our children would disagree with your answer, but let me ask you, how many of you as fathers or mothers ever really enjoyed whipping the daylights out of your children? None of us.
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We only did it because it had to be done. We didn't enjoy it. I used to think my father was lying when he said, "Now son, this gives me no pleasure." Until I got grown, I kind of thought he enjoyed it. He did such a good job of it, you know. He put his whole heart in it. I tell everybody we had a peach tree behind our house. That thing never did bloom until after I left home. Dad always got those tree limbs for me. But our Heavenly Father doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
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And when He does, you'll remember the passage in Hebrews 12:10-11 which I quoted last week. The Bible says, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." And the Bible tells us, "For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness." And so Peter says, when we suffer, we need to understand that we have a responsibility, we have a command.
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We need to commit the keeping of our souls, our lives, our bodies, our health, our families, our possessions, everything we have, into the hands of a faithful Creator. I find it absolutely amazing and wonderfully delightful, that we may still come to the sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God of the universe and say, "Father, help me." And He's willing and ready. He's the faithful Creator. Let's pray. Father, we're so thankful today for your love and for your grace and for your truth.
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And we ask dear Lord that you would teach us indeed by faithfulness, as well as your graciousness and kindness. And we want to acknowledge today, Lord, that everything we are, everything we have, everything we ever will have or ever will be, is only ours because of your marvelous grace and mercy. Because every good gift and every perfect gift cometh down from above, from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. And we rejoice in thee today, Lord.
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Make us holy, make us godly. In thy precious name we ask and pray. Amen.
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Judgment at the House of God Part 3 of 3

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

In this concluding message on 1 Peter 4:17-19, Pastor Weaver emphasizes the application of the doctrine that judgment begins at the house of God. He explains that verse 19 is the practical application of verses 17-18, commanding believers who suffer according to God's will to commit their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing in well-doing. The sermon teaches that suffering is a gift from God, that we must entrust everything—our lives, health, and possessions—to Him, and that we can trust His faithfulness as our Creator.

Introduction and Review

Recap of the series on 1 Peter 4:17-18, covering the season, sentence, source, speculation, and situation of judgment.

This brief series has been known as

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 4:17-19

"Judgment at the House of God."

So 1 Peter chapter 4, verse 17:

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 4:17-19

"For the time has 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? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator."

The Importance of Application

Application is essential to make the Bible more than literature; all doctrine is applicable, and believers should learn to apply truth to their lives.

Biblical Examples of Application

1 Corinthians 15:58 applies the doctrine of resurrection to steadfastness; 2 Corinthians 4:13 shows that genuine belief affects speech and conduct.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:58

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Now look at that verse, a very simple verse.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:58

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 4:23

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 4 verse 23, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Let me put it to you very plainly. We are the products of what we believe or we are the products of what we do not believe. If you are an unbeliever, your actions, your conduct, your conversation are products of your unbelief. You still believe something, you just don't believe the Word of God. But if you believe the Word of God, then it's bound to affect your life and it's just that simple. Now it's important to understand that judgment begins at the house of God. That means it begins with the people of God or in our local assemblies. That means we as children of faith are not immune to judgment.

Verse 19 as Application of Judgment Doctrine

The 'wherefore' in verse 19 signals the application of the preceding teaching on judgment, calling those who suffer according to God's will to commit their souls to Him.

Scripture Reading — Acts 2:36

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."

The Persons Addressed: Those Who Suffer According to God's Will

Suffering (paschō) is experienced by Christ, apostles, and saints; suffering according to God's will is not due to personal sin but for righteousness' sake or corrective purposes.

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 1:6

with verse 22. 2 Corinthians 11 and notice verse 22. Look what the Apostle Paul says. And remember now, he says, "We suffered these things." He says, "Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one." One time they stopped at 39. And usually they always stopped at 39, unless they miscounted. But four of those times, they made sure they gave him the full 40. He says, "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils

God's Secretive and Revealed Will

Deuteronomy 29:29 distinguishes God's secret will (unknown until fulfilled) from His revealed will (Scripture); believers focus on obeying the revealed will.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 29:29

"The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."

Suffering Under Tyranny as God's Will

Suffering from unjust, tyrannical government is according to God's will; 1 Peter 3:13-14 and Romans 13:3-4 contrast righteous suffering with terror from evil rulers.

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 3:13-14

"And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?"

That's a good question, isn't it?

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 3:13-14

"And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?"

I read that and all of a sudden it clicked in my mind. I said,

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 3:13-14

"I know the answer to that. I know who will harm you if you're followers of that which is good: a wicked tyrannical civil government."

And then I looked at the next verse, look at it. 1 Peter 3 and verse 14,

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 3:13-14

"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled."

The Act to Be Accomplished: Commit Your Souls to God

The command 'commit' (paratithēmi) means to entrust everything—life, body, possessions—to God; 'soul' represents the totality of one's being (Genesis 46; Acts 27:37).

Now, if you would turn in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 27. Acts chapter 27. And look if you would please at verse 37. Acts 27 verse 37.

Acts 27 verse 37. The apostle Paul is on a ship with a lot of individuals. There's a storm and notice what the Bible says. Acts 27 in verse 37:

Scripture Reading — Acts 27:37

"And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls."

So that's 276 men.

Now, if you will look in 1 Peter 5 and verse 7, Peter uses another word, but it's essentially the same. Look in 1 Peter 5 and verse 7. He says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 5:7

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Commit in Well-Doing

Well-doing is right, virtuous conduct; committing our souls must be accompanied by obedience and righteous living (1 Peter 2:15; 3:17).

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 2:15

" How do you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men? By obeying, by doing that which is right, by doing that which is holy. You're not going to silence them by disobedience. They're going to talk more. You're not going to silence them by being angry and vindictive and hateful and ugly. They're going to talk more. He says the way you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men is by well-doing. That is a course of right action, doing that which is virtuous and praiseworthy so that your life proves them wrong. Look in your Bibles to 1 Peter 3 and verse 17. 1 Peter 3 verse 17, you'll see this same word again.

Recognition of God as Faithful Creator

We trust God as faithful Creator who keeps covenant; sin disrupted the creature-Creator relationship, but faith restores it, allowing us to confide in His purposes.

Conclusion: God's Faithfulness in Suffering

God does not afflict willingly (Lamentations 3:33); He sustains and delivers. We are commanded to commit all to our faithful Creator, who works for our holiness.

Judgment at the House of God Part 3 of 3

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	M416__CbtzQ
Subject	Civil Government
Course	Civil Government: Magistracy, Authority, and Romans 13: Authority
Genre	Sermon
Date	2012-02-09
Dictation Name
Book	Book 155: Judgment at the House of God — Chapter 3
Source Timed Segments	71

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction and Review: Recap of the series on 1 Peter 4:17-18, covering the season, sentence, source, speculation, and situation of judgment.
The Importance of Application: Application is essential to make the Bible more than literature; all doctrine is applicable, and believers should learn to apply truth to their lives.
Biblical Examples of Application: 1 Corinthians 15:58 applies the doctrine of resurrection to steadfastness; 2 Corinthians 4:13 shows that genuine belief affects speech and conduct.
Verse 19 as Application of Judgment Doctrine: The 'wherefore' in verse 19 signals the application of the preceding teaching on judgment, calling those who suffer according to God's will to commit their souls to Him.
The Persons Addressed: Those Who Suffer According to God's Will: Suffering (paschō) is experienced by Christ, apostles, and saints; suffering according to God's will is not due to personal sin but for righteousness' sake or corrective purposes.
God's Secretive and Revealed Will: Deuteronomy 29:29 distinguishes God's secret will (unknown until fulfilled) from His revealed will (Scripture); believers focus on obeying the revealed will.
Suffering Under Tyranny as God's Will: Suffering from unjust, tyrannical government is according to God's will; 1 Peter 3:13-14 and Romans 13:3-4 contrast righteous suffering with terror from evil rulers.
The Act to Be Accomplished: Commit Your Souls to God: The command 'commit' (paratithēmi) means to entrust everything—life, body, possessions—to God; 'soul' represents the totality of one's being (Genesis 46; Acts 27:37).
Commit in Well-Doing: Well-doing is right, virtuous conduct; committing our souls must be accompanied by obedience and righteous living (1 Peter 2:15; 3:17).
Recognition of God as Faithful Creator: We trust God as faithful Creator who keeps covenant; sin disrupted the creature-Creator relationship, but faith restores it, allowing us to confide in His purposes.
Conclusion: God's Faithfulness in Suffering: God does not afflict willingly (Lamentations 3:33); He sustains and delivers. We are commanded to commit all to our faithful Creator, who works for our holiness.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Verse 19 is the application of verses 17-18

The word 'wherefore' indicates that Peter is drawing a practical conclusion from the doctrine of judgment, commanding believers to commit their souls to God.

Weaver says, 'Now watch verse 19, "Wherefore..." Now let me just tell you, verse 19 is the application of what Peter has taught in verses 17 and 18.'

Suffering is a gift from God

Philippians 1:29 teaches that suffering for Christ's sake is given by God just as faith is given; it is not a punishment but a privilege.

Weaver states, 'Suffering is just as much the gift of God as faith is.'

Suffering under tyranny is according to God's will

When believers suffer from unjust governments, they suffer for righteousness' sake, as 1 Peter 3:13-14 indicates, contrasting with Romans 13's ideal ruler.

Weaver argues, 'A wicked, corrupt, despotic, tyrannical civil government terrorizes good works. And they promote evil works.'

The command to commit is a present passive imperative

The Greek word 'commit' is a command, meaning to entrust or deposit alongside God; it is not optional but required for those suffering.

Weaver explains, 'It happens to be a present passive imperative. An imperative in English and in Greek is a command.'

God is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake

Even in suffering, believers can trust God's character; He does not afflict willingly but for our profit and holiness.

Weaver says, 'Have you ever stopped to think that our Heavenly Father is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake?'

Scripture References

1 Peter 4:17-19: The primary text of the series; verse 19 is the focus of this message as the application of judgment doctrine.
1 Corinthians 15:58: Used as an example of application: the doctrine of resurrection leads to steadfastness and abounding in the Lord's work.
2 Corinthians 4:13: Shows that genuine belief results in speaking and living out that belief; application of Psalm 116:10.
Proverbs 4:23: Cited to support that we are products of what we believe; 'as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.'
Acts 2:36: Example of 'therefore' introducing an application: Peter concludes that Jesus is Lord and Christ based on his preaching.
Mark 8:31: Shows the word 'suffer' (paschō) used of Christ's suffering.
2 Corinthians 1:6: Shows the word 'suffer' used of apostolic suffering.
2 Corinthians 11:22-28: Paul's catalog of sufferings, illustrating the extent of apostolic suffering.
1 Thessalonians 3:4: Paul told believers they would suffer tribulation; suffering is expected for Christians.
2 Thessalonians 1:5: Suffering is a manifest token of God's righteous judgment, making believers worthy of the kingdom.
Matthew 5:10-11: Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness' sake; suffering for Christ is blessed.
Philippians 1:29: Suffering for Christ is a gift given by God, just as faith is a gift.
Deuteronomy 29:29: Distinguishes God's secret will from His revealed will; believers focus on the revealed will in Scripture.
1 Peter 3:13-14: Who will harm you if you do good? Yet if you suffer for righteousness, you are blessed; don't fear their terror.
Romans 13:3-4: Rulers are not a terror to good works but to evil; contrasts with tyrannical government that terrorizes good.
Genesis 46:22,25-26: The word 'souls' includes the whole person—body, possessions—as seen in the count of Jacob's family.
Acts 27:37: The 276 'souls' on the ship included their bodies and possessions, showing 'soul' means the entire being.
1 Peter 5:7: Casting all care upon God is parallel to committing our souls; He cares for us.
1 Peter 2:15: Well-doing silences the ignorance of foolish men; right conduct is a testimony.
1 Peter 3:17: It is better to suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing; contrasts righteous and wicked suffering.

Historical References

Lewis Wetzel: Mentioned as an example of reading a book that was mere literature without application; Wetzel was a frontiersman and Indian fighter.
Albert Barnes: Quoted at length on God as faithful Creator; Barnes was a 19th-century American theologian and commentator.
John Gill: Quoted on committing souls to God in well-doing; Gill was an 18th-century English Baptist pastor and theologian.
Stephen the first martyr: Cited as an example of committing his spirit to Christ at death (Acts 7:59).

Important Quotes

If you do not understand the importance of application, when you read your Bible, it's going to be nothing more than literature to you.

Emphasizes the necessity of applying Scripture to avoid treating it as mere information.

We are the products of what we believe or we are the products of what we do not believe.

Highlights the formative power of belief or unbelief on conduct and character.

Suffering is just as much the gift of God as faith is.

Reframes suffering as a divine gift, not merely a hardship, based on Philippians 1:29.

Have you ever stopped to think that our Heavenly Father is too loving to be unkind and too wise to make a mistake?

Encourages trust in God's character amid suffering.

He abandons no purpose which he has formed, and we may be assured that he will faithfully pursue it to the end.

Quoting Albert Barnes, affirms God's faithfulness to His creative purposes.

For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

From Lamentations 3:33, assures that God takes no pleasure in affliction.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

Why is application essential when reading the Bible, and how can we practice it daily?

[Context]

Weaver stresses that without application, the Bible becomes mere literature.

[Question]

How does the doctrine of the resurrection motivate steadfastness in our work for the Lord?

[Context]

Based on 1 Corinthians 15:58, Weaver shows that resurrection hope fuels perseverance.

[Question]

What does it mean to suffer according to the will of God, and how can we discern if our suffering fits this description?

[Context]

Weaver distinguishes suffering for righteousness from suffering due to personal sin.

[Question]

In what ways is suffering a gift from God, and how should this perspective change our response to trials?

[Context]

Philippians 1:29 is cited to show suffering is given by God.

[Question]

How can we practically 'commit the keeping of our souls' to God in the midst of suffering?

[Context]

Weaver explains the command to entrust everything to God.

[Question]

What does 'well-doing' look like when we are suffering, and why is it important?

[Context]

1 Peter 2:15 and 3:17 emphasize righteous conduct even in hardship.

[Question]

How does recognizing God as our faithful Creator provide comfort and strength during trials?

[Context]

Weaver quotes Barnes and Gill on God's faithfulness to His purposes.

Applications

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