1. The Righteous are Scarcely Saved 1 Peter 4:18

2. Righteous “In a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God” Innocent, faultless, guiltless” “Just, without prejudice or partiality in the treatment of others” 2

3. Righteousness “The character or quality of being right or just; it was formerly spelled “rightwiseness,” which clearly expresses the meaning.” (Vine) 3

4. Righteous Contrasted with sinners, Matthew 9:12-13 The righteous are scarcely saved, 1 Peter 4:16-18 “With difficulty” 4

5. Who is Righteous? Absolute sense -- No one, Romans 3:10 All have sinned, Psalm 14:1-3; Rom. 3:23 There are righteous people: Abel, Hebrews 11:4; Noah, Daniel and Job, Ezekiel 14:14 Joseph, Matt. 1:19; Zacharias and Elizabeth, Luke 1:6; Simeon, Luke 2:25; John, Mark 6:20 5

6. How can this be, since all have sinned? Israel: God’s grace and their obedient faith, Deuteronomy 6:23-25; 9:4-6 Obeyed God’s law and obtained favor, Ezekiel 18:19-22 Live by (means of) faith, Habakkuk 2:3-4 6

7. How can this be, since all have sinned? God is the Justifier of all who have faith in Jesus, Romans 3:25-26 Gospel reveals how God counts sinners righteous unto salvation and eternal life, Romans 1:16-17 Faith is accounted for righteousness, Romans 4:5-8 7

8. How can this be, since all have sinned? God is the Justifier of all who have faith in Jesus, Romans 3:25-26 Noah: Great example of saving faith, Hebrews 11:7 (10:39) “By grace…through faith,” Gen. 6:8-9, 22; 7:1 8

9. How can this be, since all have sinned? God is the Justifier of all who have faith in Jesus, Romans 3:25-26 Christians: Bondservants of righteousness, Romans 6:13 (18-22) Active, responsive, obedient faith, Matt. 6:33 Just and upright in heart and life, before God and people, Ephesians 4:24; 5:8-10 9

10. The Righteous are Scarcely Saved, 1 Peter 4:18 Saved with difficulty With toil, exertion, strenuous effort of faith, Acts 27:7, 8, 16; 14:18 To toil, “with difficulty” The work (effort) of faith, James 2:20-24 Like Abel, Noah, Abraham, Daniel, etc. Obey Jesus Christ, Hebrews 5:8-9 Commit our soul to God in doing good, 1 Pet. 4:19 10

11. The Righteous are Scarcely Saved, 1 Peter 4:18 Where will the ungodly and sinner appear? 1 Peter 4:18 “What will become of the godless man?” These will not appear in salvation because they do not live by faith, 2 Cor. 5:7 Appear in the second death, Revelation 21:8 Urgency of the gospel, 2 Cor. 5:11 11

12. Christ Loves Righteousness and Hates Lawlessness You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions. -Hebrews 1:9 12

13. Christ Loves Righteousness and Hates Lawlessness "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6) "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) 13

14. Which Will You Be? The Righteous Christian? The Ungodly Sinner? 14