SOME END TIME INSTRUCTIONS
1 Peter 4:7-11 NKJ
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Peter sensed that the end of all things was near. Our sense of time and God's sense of time are vastly different. The Psalmist said that a thousand years are like yesterday that is passed or a watch in the night. A watch was about four hours. So, to God, a couple of thousand years are a couple of days. We will get this all figured out in heaven. But suffice it to say that if the end was near for Peter, it would be a whole lot nearer for us. So how are we to live?
Peter, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, instructed the believers then, and it still applies to us today, to be serious and watchful in our prayers. There are a couple of things that are of interest. First, Peter assumes that the believers are praying. And secondly, Peter encourages the correct mindset for prayer. He said serious and watchful, which can be translated as alert and sober-minded. Also earnest, disciplined, and self-controled. The sense is that we are to pray and to take prayer seriously.
Above all, have fervent love for one another. We simply cannot avoid the words 'above all things.' The Holy Spirit, through Peter, emphasized the importance of the divine kind of love we are to show for one another. For love covers a multitude of sins. The God kind of love overlooks and does not punish. Ever see grandparents with the grandchildren they are not raising? Talk about overlooking and not punishing a multitude of sins. That gives a visual. The divine kind of love covers without calling to attention every little infraction. It's living on a different level and causes less wear and tear on our souls, our inner life.
Be hospitable to one another, but don't complain about it. Hospitable was referred to as a kindness to strangers. But the sense we get here is being kind to one another with the right heart about it. Complaining ruins the atmosphere. It is not hard to discern when someone is faking kindness.
Verse ten is a great verse. As each one has received a gift use it to serve others. So, everyone has received a spiritual gifting from God, a grace gift. The purpose of the gift is to serve other people. In serving others with our gifts, we function as good stewards or managers of God's grace. A good job managing the grace we have been given is a key to promotion in God's kingdom and even more grace.
Peter elaborates further on God's grace gifts in verse eleven. He specifies speaking and ministering or helping. God is the One supplying the grace to speak and the grace to help and serve others. Recognizing we have all been given gifts is vitally important. Some believe only those who speak or sing have gifts. But the scriptures say we all have been given gifts. To find your particular grace gift, first believe that God did not skip you and you have a gift. Second, jump in and begin to help in some capacity. Church is a great venue to explore your gifting. It's not the only place, but it's a good place to start. We want to please God and be good managers of His grace in our lives. After all, the end of all things is near.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for the example You have given me as to how to walk in love. And thank You for the grace gift and the strength You have supplied me with so that I might be a blessing to others.