I have mentioned this before, but it is very important to keep it in mind if we are to arrive at any valid interpretation of the Word of God. Every word in the language has multiple meanings. Therefore, it is necessary for the serious student to put each word of the text in perspective, recognize the context, and relate it to everything else in the Bible, for truth is consistent. No correct interpretation can ever contradict, nor be at variance with any of the other principles of the Bible.
I point this out here because Peter uses some words which require much care in their interpretation, lest we miss the point he is making. I Peter 1:17 is an
example of this. "Since you call on a Father, who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives...in reverent
fear." A careful study of the New Testament shows that we are not justified by the good works we do, nor the legal correctness of our religious practice. Consequently the word "work" here must refer to something other than right religion and good deeds. Prior to this, Peter is talking about being holy thru self-control, and utilizing the grace God gives us. The "work" to which he refers, then, is the work of making ourselves holy, by heeding His word, and changing ourselves from self-serving individuals to people for His service.
In this same verse, he says God judges each impartially. In other words, you are judged on the basis of what you are in relation to Him, not in comparison, or by the standards used for other people. I cannot stress strongly enough that God does not require the impossible of anyone! I am not judged by your standards, nor are you judged by mine. God does not judge me by what you are capable of doing, nor does he judge you on the basis of my abilities. Being impartial demands that one looks at a person in the light of what that person is capable of doing. A set standard of legal demands, if applied to everyone, would be unfair to some who were not as smart, or might be in a place where the truth was not as easily known as some others. Each will be judged
"impartially," i.e., on the basis of his own response to what he is capable of responding to of God's will and His grace. This further emphasizes the importance of our not judging, for none of us can know what another is capable of understanding or doing.
At the end of this statement, Peter says, "...live in reverent fear." Perhaps a better translation would be, "in reverent awe". The word for fear here does not mean we should be afraid of God. He sent Jesus to tell us He loves us. He does not want us to be afraid of Him. But we must be impressed by His transcendent majesty and glory. We should be moved by a realization that He is the creator of all things, and that He has given us the life we have. We should stand in awe of His incredible power to control and rule the vast universe. We must recognize that He is beyond our understanding. As a consequence, we should never doubt His wisdom or His righteousness.
The popular trend, with some modern Theologians, is to question the validity of Biblical morality, in favor of an updated standard, which fits more comfortably our modern hedonistic society. Such fails to stand before God in "reverent
fear." Standing in the presence of God with reverent awe does not allow me to substitute my reasoning for the stated Will of God.
One final word: Being judged impartially is comforting in that I will not have to be judged by another's standards. However, it places the responsibility squarely upon me to respond to Him in reverent awe, and to strive constantly, with study, self-discipline and prayer, to be all I can be for Him. I am not my own. "I have been bought with a
price." The world I live in is not my standard, for I am a stranger here. The One I respond to is the King of an eternal Kingdom of which this world knows nothing.
