For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God. – 1st Peter 4:17

This isn’t the final judgment, but God’s refining discipline. God often allow believers to sin and the consequences of their sin to take its course. He does this for several reasons: To show us our potential for sinning, to encourage us to turn from sin and more constantly depend on Him, to prepare us to face other, even stronger temptations in the future and to help us stay faithful and keep trusting Him.

Judgment does not always imply condemnation in Scripture when used in relation to Christians, it consistently refers to the evaluation of a believer’s works for the purpose of reward. The term “house of God” is not focusing on a building, but on believers. The purpose of attending church is to learn how to communicate with God, how to follow the instructions given through the written word of God. How to live in faith when being attacked by the adversary.

Just as our earthly father has given rules and guidelines for his children, so have our heavenly Father given His children guidelines for them to follow as children of God. Disobedient doesn’t mean one isn’t a child of God, but they will be disciplined for their disobedience just as an earthly father discipline his child. We’re the house of Jesus Christ, and we must conform ourselves to the word of God, if we want to enter into heaven (But Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end – Hebrews 3:6). The Son  is the One who will sit on the throne in the coming kingdom. He presently rules over the church which is the body of Christ and will rule over all creation when His opponents are completely defeated. His house consists of all those who believe in Him, and those who will endure to the end, placing their trust in Him, will live with Him in eternity.

Believer’s must do more than just believe, but be doers of the word of God (Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves – James 1:21-22). Too many times people receive baptism, but don’t receive spiritual rebirth the regeneration of the spirit. This is why many can be faithful to the church far as attending church, working in different auxiliaries, but can’t be faithful to the written instructions of the Bible. This is the reason why the children of Israel couldn’t enter into the promise land because of their disobedience (Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief {disobedience} – Hebrews 4:6). Disobedience comes in many forms such as not reading the word of God to know what are the instructions for the believer. Attending church and not following what was preached, praying with unforgiveness, these are just a few areas of disobedience prevalent among those whose professing to be Christians.

Just like an earthly father doesn’t want to discipline his child, but have to in order to correct and teach them, so does our heavenly Father. God wants His children to be an example of Him and His Son, and in order to get us to that point, He allows different storms, difficulties, an issues  to come into our life to make us pray, fast, read and study the word of God, to draw us to Him and away from the world. It would be a sad thing to attend church, profess to be a Christian and when Jesus returns He instructs us to depart from Him because He doesn’t know us (And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity – Matthew 7:23). 

Obedience is better than sacrifice!