1 Peter 4:18 KJV
[18] “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
In this verse, Peter makes distinctions between the righteous and the sinner. We are all sinners outside of the grace of God and the blood of Jesus. However, if you are saved, the righteousness of Christ has been applied to your life. He is not talking about self-righteousness but His righteousness. As the songwriter wrote, “In my hand no price I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.” It is a great truth that the Son has made us righteous in the Father’s eyes. When the Father sees us, He sees the imputed righteousness of Christ.
Those who are unsaved are seen in their lost condition. They do not have the blood applied and stand guilty before God. They are seen as ungodly because they are without Christ. Peter reminds us that if we who are righteous are scarcely saved, then what about those who are ungodly? There is nothing between them and God to appease His wrath upon them. God cannot look upon sin and will not allow sin to go unpunished. How fearful it is to think about the unprepared who will stand before a Holy God.
I must confess that I do not look forward to the Judgment Seat of Christ. Yet, I can rest in the fact that I do know the Judge. The lost do not know Jesus, but He will be their Judge on judgment day. Those will be scary shoes to be in when that time comes. If you know someone who is not saved, pray for them as if it would be you standing before God on that day. We need to be reminded about the judgment of the lost to maintain a genuine burden for them.
We must not forget the fact that we will witness this judgment. The saved will witness the sentencing and judging of those who are ungodly. Those who mocked His name and shunned His invitation will one day stand in His presence to receive an eternal sentence to the Lake of Fire. God help us to pray, weep, and witness to everyone we can about Jesus Christ.
It will take the eternal hand of God to wipe the tears from our eyes after this judgment. We will see loved ones, family members, friends, neighbors, and even church members stand before God. I would not want to be in their shoes on that day. Again, I am no better than they are, but at least I can say I’ve been saved. Dear reader, how about you? Lord, help me to witness in light of this judgment. It is not the will of God for anyone to die without Christ and go to the eternal flames of Hell.