Be on the alert!

   AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? 1 Pet. 4:18

   When Peter talks about the righteous, it is surely not the self-righteous he alludes to. We can know that from the Scriptures testimony: By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight (Rom. 3:20), and not least by Jesus own word about, that He has not at all come to call the righteous!
   It is accordingly talk about those who are justified by the faith! - The Christians in other words. They are according to the apostle here, saved with difficulty!
   It is not because there are any lack with the salvation of God, but because it is so much, and so many things and situations here in this world that can seduce us, and make us faint-hearted and dispirited - make us despair and give up and so on. We are wandering through a land of enemies, and the enemy is powerful, more powerful then all of mankind in the world put together! Are you conscious of that? Then you also know how necessary it is to live i Jesus' word: «All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth!» (Mat. 28:18), and in the Scriptures testimony: «It (the Gospel) is the power of God for salvation.» (Rom. 1:16).
   This is how the righteous is saved with difficulty! - Then what about the ungodly and the sinner? - The one who does not care about this preaching of God's Word, warning and calling? It is unfortunately only one reasonable answer to this! So listen to Jesus' word: «What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!» (Mark 13:37).

E.K.

Holy Bible New American Standard Version
Translator: E.K.