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"If the righteous one is scarcely saved..."

Text: 1 Peter 4:18

THE SALVATION OF GOD

The salvation that God offers is often assumed or taken for granted. The work of salvation does not end with a sinner confessing his sin and expressing faith in Christ. The work of salvation goes on till life ends.

“Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?'”
1 Peter 4:18

1. Citing the Scriptures

a) The Scriptures

i) They were written in Hebrew.

ii) They were translated into the Greek language.

b) The Greek Old Testament

i) It was called the Septuagint.

ii) It was a popular version that many were more familiar with than the Hebrew version.

2. Peter’s citation of the Septuagint

a) He was citing from Proverbs 11:31.

b) His citation was quite accurate.

3. “If the righteous one is scarcely saved”

a) “The righteous”

i) This word describes those who had come to believe in the Lord.

ii) They are called “the righteous”.

iii) However, the Lord had to continue to help them cultivate their righteousness.

iv) One of the ways included suffering as a means of spiritual cleansing.

v) Suffering is not easy at any time and by any means.

b) “Scarcely saved”

i) It does not mean that we are not sure of salvation.

ii) It does mean that the work of salvation (that of sanctification especially) is long and arduous.

iii) Many profess faith but they give up along the way.

(They are like the stony or thorny grounds upon which the seed of God’s word is sown. {Matthew 13:1-23})

iv) Salvation is to be truly treasured for one is indeed “scarcely saved”.

v) The word “scarcely” means “with great difficulty”.

4. “Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

a) “The ungodly and the sinner”

i) They have already rejected the gospel of Christ.

ii) They have chosen to remain as they are.

b) How would they appear before God?

It is a sobering rhetorical question indeed!