Crumbs50

 

a Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 50

Living in the light of the End

Scripture 1 Peter 4: 7-11 NIV 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Crumbs Throughout the Prophets, Our Lord’s teaching and the Apostles’ too there runs the idea that we should be living as though the end was near. Here it is in verse 7. The Peter gives three things we should do about it.

1. Pray. (verse7) Prayer is the means through which we conduct our spiritual lives. Peter implies that we should clear the clutter of our thoughts and purge our hearts of unhelpful attitudes so we might pray.

2. Love. (verse 8-9) The pivot of all this is love. To Peter it is paramount. God is love and it is at this point we are asked to be God like. The clearest definition I find for love is Christ on the cross. It was a sacrificial act for the best interests of another. Love is not love if it does not express itself it acts of love. Here it is the opening of one’s home without complaint. The letter of James expands on this point.

3. Use your Gift (Verses 10-11) Each of us has a gift and gifts come in two sorts; speaking and service. Speaking is based on the Word of God and where better to find it than in Scripture? Serving is a challenge but where God challenges God provides. Both forms of gift are for the praise of God. This is the big idea behind so much of Peter’s teaching It is appropriate that this section finishes with a statement of praise directed to the Lord Jesus.

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion) 1. What do we need to be praying about? 2. How can we show our love to others ? 3. What gift has God given you and how should you use it ?