EXPLORE IT! - 1 Peter 4:7-11

In this week’s Scripture passage, the writer speaks about “mutual love,” which he proclaims to be the key to Christian community in the End Times.

His question basically is: Why should you live holy lives of sobriety and prayer?

Answer: Because the end of all things is near. 

Jesus could come back at any time. He could return today. But even if he doesn’t come back right away, our lives are only so long. We all come to our end.

And standing at the end of all things is Jesus.

The Alpha and Omega.

The Beginning and the End.

God in the flesh.

Love divine.

Final conclusion: Love is greater than sin – so love each other! 

He also says that we shouldn’t whine about having to give to others – we ought to give because we truly love them! 

He also points out that God has given different gifts to everybody – and so his conclusion is: Use what God gave you! 

He says that speakers should speak with the voice of God, and that servants should serve with the strength of God.

In this way, all things that we do will bring praise to God through Christ at work in us. 

Christ calls us to focus our attention on him and to live in the fullness of his purity. By his grace we may then see what he sees as we allow him to burn away all things within us that are anti-Christ. And as he purifies us, we become aware of more than ourselves and we come alongside others and help them in their suffering.

All glory and power go to him forever! Amen!