“Do not be ashamed” leaves a very interesting picture. The dictionary gives this definition for “ashamed” of being embarrassed. With this in mind and applying this to the text, Peter is telling you to “not be ashamed” of Jesus Christ. You have seen individuals who shy away from someone they do not want to be identified with or have connected to them. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior to be ashamed of Him, to deny Him just as Peter did when Jesus was on trial. This would be a challenge to the first readers for if they rejected Jesus as Lord and say Caesar is Lord, their life would be spared. Peter is telling Christians to stand for who they are even if it means suffering to the point of death. In fact, Peter encourages them to “praise God that you bear that name”. Peter and John were commanded by the Sanhedrin to no longer speak in the name of Jesus. When they were release, they reported to the Church all that happen. The Church prayed for boldness to proclaim the gospel. Peter and John praised God proclaiming they were worthy of suffering disgrace for Jesus when they were released the second time.
Peter gives another reason to not let the suffering for Christ you may be going through pull you down for he wrote “it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God”. The Church will be judged first. It simply is saying every individual Christian must be ready at all times to go be with the Lord. When you are serving the Lord to the best of your ability, seeking to be pleasing to the Lord in every area of your life you will be blessed. Chapter 25 of Matthew deals with being ready for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the results if you are not ready. You can not just play Church; you must be the Church.
The question asked is concerning the outcome of “those who do not obey the gospel of God”. The Scripture teaches they will be condemned and cast out. God has proclaimed those who do not obey will be separated from Him forever and they will be cast into the place which has been prepared for Satan and his angels. Now is the day of salvation! Obey the gospel now and you will begin the journey of preparing for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be ready for the Day of Judgment. Be prepared for time is running out. THINK ABOUT THIS VERY CAREFULLY THEN ACT ACCORDINGLY!!!