Daily Bread 2010 - 1 Peter 4
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.
The author of 1 Peter was writing to the Christian community while it was undergoing much suffering, so it makes sense he thought the end was near. 20 centuries later although the end of all things hasn’t happened yet, it still feels near. Given this reality these words become very relevant for us today.
The writer gives the community several things to focus on his assumption the end was near. Since there are no guarantees and we don’t know what the future will bring, it is good for us to focus on these same things to insure that we would be ready at any time for our Lord to return.
Above all, the writer says to “love each other deeply”, because love covers a multitude of sins. Does this mean our love for each other provides forgiveness for sins? No! Jesus accomplished the entire forgiveness of all of our sins on the cross! But what it could mean is that love is the most important gift we can offer in response to Christ’s love for us. It is the love we have and show for each other that sets us apart from any other religion? Why? Because it is the love of Christ working through us, not our own earthly love.
Secondly, it says we are to serve using whatever gift we have been given. Other places in the bible spell out what some of these gifts are, but the one thing in common is that we are to use whatever gift we have been given to build up the local body of Christ, the Church. Our gifts are used serving in love so that the Church can serve the world on behalf of the gospel.
So do we live in the end times? I don’t know. Regardless these words are relevant for us today. How do we prepare for Jesus’ second coming? By loving and serving In His name. Who can you love and serve today in Jesus’ name? As you do it, do it with the strength He provides so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
Dear Jesus thank you for the love you showed us that while we were yet sinners you died for us. May your love live in us as we serve others in Your name. Thank you for giving us Your gifts and may we use them wisely as we anticipate that you will come back some day. In Your name we pray, Amen.
The author of 1 Peter was writing to the Christian community while it was undergoing much suffering, so it makes sense he thought the end was near. 20 centuries later although the end of all things hasn’t happened yet, it still feels near. Given this reality these words become very relevant for us today.
The writer gives the community several things to focus on his assumption the end was near. Since there are no guarantees and we don’t know what the future will bring, it is good for us to focus on these same things to insure that we would be ready at any time for our Lord to return.
Above all, the writer says to “love each other deeply”, because love covers a multitude of sins. Does this mean our love for each other provides forgiveness for sins? No! Jesus accomplished the entire forgiveness of all of our sins on the cross! But what it could mean is that love is the most important gift we can offer in response to Christ’s love for us. It is the love we have and show for each other that sets us apart from any other religion? Why? Because it is the love of Christ working through us, not our own earthly love.
Secondly, it says we are to serve using whatever gift we have been given. Other places in the bible spell out what some of these gifts are, but the one thing in common is that we are to use whatever gift we have been given to build up the local body of Christ, the Church. Our gifts are used serving in love so that the Church can serve the world on behalf of the gospel.
So do we live in the end times? I don’t know. Regardless these words are relevant for us today. How do we prepare for Jesus’ second coming? By loving and serving In His name. Who can you love and serve today in Jesus’ name? As you do it, do it with the strength He provides so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
Dear Jesus thank you for the love you showed us that while we were yet sinners you died for us. May your love live in us as we serve others in Your name. Thank you for giving us Your gifts and may we use them wisely as we anticipate that you will come back some day. In Your name we pray, Amen.
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