Living In the Light of The End
4:7-19
This is the third time Peter has told us the motivation to live the Christian life in holiness and in willingness to suffer. First, it was because of our eternal life, and imperishable inheritance. Second, it was because of the suffering\death of Christ. This time it is because of the return of Christ. The return of Christ is the beginning of the end.
Peter said the end of all things is at hand (7). Yes, we live in the last days. The “last days” began when Jesus’ ministry, death and resurrection were concluded. Now, we wait for his return. All of the events concerning salvation have occurred and the only event remaining is the return of Christ, which inaugurates the resurrection and judgment. His return could happen at any time, so we should live accordingly.
Notice that Peter does not say to speculate about the date of Jesus’ return or on what signs would accompany his return. Rather, living in the light of the end is to encourage us to live in a Godly way.
What behavior does Peter encourage? He said to be self-controlled and sober minded.These two words, and traits, are very similar. We exercise control over our passions and our temper. We are serious about the things of the Lord. We are to think seriously and clearly about our life in this world. If we do not, it will affect our prayers.
If we are thinking correctly, and believe the return of Christ could be soon, we are praying that God will save lost people, build up his church, and glorify his name. If we are preoccupied with worldly thoughts, we will not pray as we should. We pray that God will give us things, make us happier, and protect us from suffering.
We should also keep loving each other earnestly. (8) (The New International Version leaves out the Greek word translated “keep”.) Peter wrote this in the way that makes it a command. He has already written this in 1:22, so he shows us he thinks this is very important.
We should not be surprised at this, for Jesus gave us the same command. Jesus said “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Paul also wrote “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Paul also wrote : “the fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22) The Holy Spirit fills us with love and gives us the ability to love.
Paul also described love for us in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a. It is a daunting list of things we do as a matter of love. For example, Paul wrote that love is patient and kind, does not insist on its own way, and is not irritable or resentful. He said love is the most excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:31b.)
A Christian loves because Jesus loves him, because he is a disciple, and because God’s love is in our hearts. How do we know you are a Christian? We can tell by the traits you exhibit. We know because you love other Christians. And when you earnestly love a fellow believer, you can look past his sins. That is what Peter meant by love covers a multitude of sins. (8) (There is probably a reference here to Proverbs 10:12.)
In contrast, when you do not love, you focus on the other persons sins as a way to run them down or to reject them. You do what Jesus said not to do in Luke 6:42. You concentrate on the speck in your brother’s eyes to avoid looking at the log in your own eye.
As part of this love, we show hospitality to each other without grumbling. (9) In New Testament times, those who traveled and preached had to rely on other Christians to take them in for the night. Christians were known for this hospitality. It was essential to the mission of the church. That is why Paul often ended his letters asking the church to take in someone he sent to them.
Hospitality was also to be offered graciously, without grumbling. It is easy to get tired of having guests. We all like to retreat to the comfort of our own homes. But God wants us to share our homes with other believers. We do this when we let members of a traveling choir or youth group stay in our home. We also do this when we just invite another believer over for dinner and fellowship.
We also serve each other with the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit has bestowed on us. They are not for our personal self esteem or aggrandizement. Each one of us received at least one gift. (10) We are to use that gift to serve the church as a whole and each other. You can see lists of spiritual gifts in 12:1-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, and Ephesians 4:8-16.
Peter divided the gifts into two categories: speaking and serving. Speaking includes prophecy, teaching, tongues, and exhortation. (Romans 12:6-7, Ephesians 4:11) Serving includes giving, leading, mercy, helps, healing and miracles. (Romans 12:8, 1 Corinthians 12:9-10 and 28-30)
If your gift is speaking, you should speak the oracles, or words of God, not your own words or ideas.
If you gift is serving, you serve in the strength God provides. All gifts are used to serve each other, serve the church, to the glory of God. The thought of this brings Peter to doxology: to him (God) belong glory and dominion forever!
So live in a way that helps others see the glory of God.
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