06/15/2026
Dear Friends,
As you read this week’s Ligonier devotional, I would encourage you to read it carefully and thoughtfully, Paying close attention to the distinctions being made throughout the article.
One of the important principles of biblical interpretation is allowing an author to define his terms within the context of his writing. In this devotional, the author distinguishes between justification and sanctification, affirming that our salvation is found in Christ alone and that His atoning work is completely sufficient.
When the devotional concludes by saying that God uses
"suffering to purify us, not destroy us,” this should not be understood as “suffering” adding to the cleansing accomplished by Christ’s blood. Scripture teaches that believers have been fully justified through faith in Christ and cleansed by His finished work on the cross.
Rather, the devotional is speaking of God’s ongoing work of sanctification. In His fatherly love, God uses trials and afflictions to refine our faith, strengthen our obedience, and conform us more and more to the image of Christ. Suffering does not secure our salvation; it is one of the means God uses to mature those whom He has already saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the Glory of God alone, according to Scripture alone.
As always, let us read devotionals, sermons, and theological writings carefully, interpreting them in light of Scripture and according to their intended context.
Grace and peace,
Al Vigil
Admin Assistant
First Christian Church
Canon City, Colorado 81212
PH (719)275-9644
IXΘYΣ
“To talk the talk,
To walk the walk,
And above all, to live the life of Christ.”
Where Judgment Begins
1 Peter 4:17–18
“It is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And ‘If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’”
Biblically speaking, salvation in its broadest sense describes the entire process from regeneration through conversion, justification, sanctification, and glorification. We were saved in our conversion and justification, are being saved in our sanctification, and will be saved in our glorification (Matt. 10:22; 1 Cor. 15:1–2; Eph. 2:8–9). Our final salvation, though guaranteed in our regeneration and justification, does not happen until we are resurrected and Jesus brings the new heavens and earth. Thus, Peter says that we obtain salvation at the revelation of Jesus Christ—His second coming (1 Peter 1:3–9). He speaks of our need to do good works so that God will be glorified on that last day, the day of His visitation (2:11–12). The reality of final judgment motivates us to persevere in faith through suffering, for all people will give an account to God of their lives on judgment day (4:1–6).
Continuing his exhortation to persevere in faith through suffering, the Apostle in today’s passage highlights final judgment and the salvation we receive on the last day. Judgment, he notes, begins at the “household of God” (v. 17). In the Old Testament, the household or house of God is the tabernacle or temple, where the Lord dwelled in a special way with Israel. More specifically, Peter has in mind Malachi 3:1–4, a prophecy of God’s purifying the temple in the last days. Peter has said that the new covenant church fulfills the house of God such that His true house consists of believers, who are living stones in the Lord’s temple (1 Peter 2:4–7). The judgment, then, that begins at the house of God is the last-day judgment that was inaugurated in Christ’s first advent (see John 3:18). Its purpose for believers is purification, not destruction, as we await the return of Jesus. This passage clearly refutes the Roman Catholic idea of purgatory. Believers’ suffering any temporal consequences of sin occurs before death, not afterward in purgatory before we enter heaven.
The judgment that began in the first advent of Christ reaches its consummation at His return. Peter notes that if believers are “scarcely” saved through this judgment, the outcome for nonbelievers will be far worse (1 Peter 4:17–18). The idea is not that Christians escape hell by the skin of their teeth. Peter’s point is that if the fiery trials of this life are part of the believer’s salvation in the broad sense through sanctification, the fire of the last day will be everlasting suffering for the impenitent who never trust in Jesus.
Living before the face of God
John Calvin comments: “If God spares not his own children whom he loves and who obey him, how dreadful will be his severity against enemies and such as are rebellious! There is, then, nothing better than to obey the Gospel, so that God may kindly correct us by his paternal hand for our salvation.” We obey the gospel by continuing to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation. He will then use suffering to purify us, not destroy us.
Works Cited
Daily Studies.“June” 2026 Tabletalk: “The Early Church”, Tabletalk Magazine; Ligonier Ministries Store.” Ligonier Ministries, www.ligonier.org/store/June-2026-tabletalk magazine accessed 15 June 2026.
“OpenAI.” 1 Peter 4:17-18. ChatGPT, 15 June. 2026. AI-generated image.
“The Reformation Study Bible ESV.”Edited by R.C. Sproul, Ligonier Ministries, http://www.ligonier.org/.../the-reformation-study-bible-1. Accessed 15 June 2026.
