If the Righteous Scarcely Be Saved 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. (1Peter 4:18-19)
Picture: Micah Daniel Carr – Son of Daniel and Jette Carr.
“THE PHRASE SCARCELY BE SAVED means “saved with difficulty,” but it does not suggest that God is too weak to save us. The reference is probably to Genesis 19:15-26, when God sought to rescue Lot from Sodom before the city was destroyed. God was able — but Lot was unwilling! He lingered, argued with the angels, and finally had to be taken by the hand and dragged out of the city! Lot was “saved as by fire” and everything he lived for went up in smoke”(see 1Corinthians 3:9-15). (Warren Wiersbe)
GOD ALLOWS MUCH TROUBLE AND TRIBULATION to dog the steps of those who have been saved. It has always been that way in varying degrees. Troubles and trials purify our lives and strengthen our faith and our prayer life. Saved people are not given a pass from poison ivy and sweat. So, if God’s people who are on their way to heaven are seen struggling with life like everyone else, there is no incentive for lost people to “get on the gravy train.”
WHEN J. HUDSON TAYOR WAS A MISSIONARY TO CHINA, the people were hungry. The missionary was able to get some rice from an incoming ship. They distributed the rice among those who were attending the church. Pretty soon, the church was filling up with “new converts.” Mr. Taylor saw the problem and realized that he was creating “rice Christians.” As much as he wanted to feed his church people, he had to refrain from it lest he fill up his church with insincere people who only wanted the rice.
JESUS HAD THAT PROBLEM WHEN HE FED PEOPLE WITH LOAVES AND FISHES. Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:26-29)
He wasn’t worried about it. But, for a while, some came to hear Him preach who were more interested in His free bread and fishes.
THE BREAD AND FISH MAY HAVE CONFUSED some about what Jesus’ gospel was about. But, the big hindrance to people being saved was the price they had to pay to be known as “one of them.” It made it harder for people to make a living; to sell their products they made. Boycotting is an old tactic. When Paul began arresting people for receiving Christ and Stephen was stoned to death in the streets of Jerusalem, it made people think twice about joining the Christians.
WHEN ELIJAH WAS PREACHING, and the Baal religion was so strong, there were 7,000 people who had not bowed their knee to Baal. But, Elijah did know about it. He thought he was the only one standing for God. The seven thousand had not bowed their knee to Baal but they were not out on the street corner handing out Gospel tracts. It was hard to be on God’s side in the days of Elijah.
IT WAS HARD FOR SOME TO BE ON CHRIST'S SIDE during His short ministry. He had not yet risen from the dead. They had not yet handled his resurrected body and had not seen the scars in His hands and His side. If the righteous were having a hard time getting along with their neighbors and their families over this man, Jesus, it would be much harder for those standing on the outside of that circle to decide they would join them.
There was suffering and death ahead for those who joined this new band of religious people. Jesus was up-front with everyone about the price they might pay to follow Him. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)
DO YOU WANT TO BE SAVED? Salvation is free, but it is not cheap. It cost Jesus everything and it is going to cost you something to live for Christ. Everyone will not be glad you are saved. If you want to be saved, you need to think it through. It will cost you. But it will cost you much more NOT to be saved. Eternity is a long time to be in the wrong place.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13). Ω
Read Through the Bible in a Year
APRIL 20, 2018 – FRIDAY
A.M. 1Samuel 30-31 P.M. Luke 17:20-37
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
APRIL 19, 2018 – THURSDAY
A.M 1Samuel 27-29 PM Luke 17:1-19
Please note: If you are behind in your reading, you may want to link in today and go back to where you have been reading. This will help you to eventually catch up. I read here on Bible Gateway and read YouVersion on my iPhone.
Good Memory Verse:
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1Peter 4:10)
Song for Today:
Supper Time (2:09) – (Haven of Rest Quartet)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEnXxGrWx2k
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