1 Peter 4:7-11 (NKJV) 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.
I love this passage of scripture!
vs. 7- “The end of ALL THINGS is at hand;” Do you see that? Do you believe it?
This statement should shock us considering our world and that this was written 2000 years ago. We are closer to the end than ever, so we MUST BE “serious and watchful in our prayers.”
I think we all know how to be serious when we pray but do you know how to be watchful while praying? Are you rattling off a laundry list of needs, talking to someone you can’t see so you never actually expect God to talk back? Are you entering into prayer with an expectation of conversation and interaction and watching for how God responds to you?
Vs. 8- “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
We know how love behaves and how love responds according to 1 Cor 13.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails….
To be fervent in love we must intentionally control how we behave and respond to others, denying our fleshly responses and allowing the Holy Spirit to minister the life of God through us. We must realize we are representing our Lord Jesus Christ. As we practice this we are transformed into the living Word that saves us.
To love fervently and consistently we must pursue intimacy with the Father through prayer and the written word of God. We are only capable of loving others to the degree we can receive and understand the Father’s love. As we wash ourselves with His holy Word His love is revealed and understood, increasing our capacity to love others. The fruit of who God is begins to pour forth from your life.
vs. 9- “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
Being hospitable is easy, but can you do it without complaining about how hard it is? Or why don’t more people help you? Can you work with others who challenge your patience or have abrasive personalities and do it without speaking negatively about the experience?
vs. 10- As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
What are your graces? Did you know that grace is a way God equips you? It gives you the supernatural ability to find and fulfill your purpose on Earth. When we minister our grace to others it helps equip them to do the same.
What are you naturally good at? What are the first things you think about when trying to help people? What do you love to do that involves other people? What is the first thing you think about when praying for others? These are all questions that can help find your primary grace or graces.
We are to steward God’s grace, sharing our strengths and abilities by ministering to others. As we engage in this community exchange, we become a living expression of God. This expression is far more than just the sum of its parts. What seemed a natural ability transforms when joined with others of like faith. It becomes a supernatural expression of God’s love and goodness.
vs. 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.
Verse 11 reminds us that it is not about us, but Christ and others. We should never be prideful or arrogant about our God-given gifts and abilities. What we have that is good came from Him. What we do, we do for Him and others.
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