Category: A Moment with the Master

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Hollywood has captivated audiences with various portrayals of apocalyptic catastrophe and life after disaster. One thing is common in most renditions—people imagine that disastrous end times would bring out the worst in people. Well, we are living in the end times. And they certainly don’t appear as dramatic as is typically displayed, but it’s true. First Peter 1:7 reads, “The end of all things is at hand…” 

In light of that truth, Peter teaches us to live a certain way. However, the principles he presents are quite different than one might expect. Peter exhorts us to be self-controlled, sober-minded, and loving and hospitable towards others. He ends his instructions with this command, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another…” As we prepare for eternity, what is the best use of our precious and limited time? To serve others. Use the gifts God has blessed you with to be a blessing to others.  

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In 1 Peter 4:7-11, the Apostle reminds us that the end of all things is approaching, and gives us some principles that should guide our lives in consideration of that end. He begins with attitudes that impact our own behavior and demeanor, admonishing us to be self-controlled and sober-minded. The following three principles pertain to our interactions with others. Verse 8 calls us to love. Then, verse 9 says, “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

One of the ways we “love one another earnestly” is by practicing hospitality. Genuine hospitality extends beyond simply enjoying good food together on special occasions. Biblical hospitality is concerned with others’ well-being. Furthermore, Christian hospitality isn’t meant just for friends and family, but also for others. 

In a world full of selfish greed, Christian hospitality and care can shine the light of Christ to those lost and searching for the light. 

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We don’t know when our life will end or when Jesus will return. But we do know that such a time is approaching. As 1 Peter 4:7 says, “The end of all things is at hand.” Considering that truth, Peter calls us to live according to certain principles. We’ve noted this week that we should be self-controlled and sober-minded. Peter adds this principle as well: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

One might think that a rapidly approaching end would encourage us to focus more on self. But our mortality should inspire us to be selfless, not selfish. In light of the end, we should devote ourselves to love. Not the pail mockery of love that much of the world practices, but faithful, godly, sincere love for the well-being of others. A love that serves. A love that persists through hardships. A love founded in truth and godliness. Above all, let us love as God loves us. 

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First Peter 4:7 reminds us that the end of all things is at hand. With that knowledge, Peter instructs on the proper way to order our lives. Yesterday, we noted that we should be self-controlled. Next, Peter says we should be “…sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” To be sober-minded doesn’t mean we lack humor, but it does mean we understand there is a seriousness to life and eternity. A sober-minded person is a circumspect, well-balanced individual. This attribute goes hand-in-hand with self-control. 

As Christians, our behavior and mindset are guided by God’s Word. We should not yield to the excesses of the world, be pulled away by the fleeting pleasures of sin, or allow ourselves to be distracted by the merely temporal and carnal. Our mindset should be focused on eternity, not just the present moment. If we develop a sober-mindedness towards godliness, then we can be ready for the end of this life and the beginning of eternity. 

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If your doctor told you that you had only another month to live, your life would change dramatically. Things that felt critical yesterday might lose all importance. Other things you had been putting off might suddenly be your greatest priority. If you knew the end was near, it would surely result in some changes. 

1 Peter 4:7 begins, “The end of all things is at hand…” We may not know when we’ll die or when Jesus will return, but we know the end is approaching. How should we live considering that truth? Peter provides us with the principles that can guide us as the end draws near.

First, we should be self-controlled. Much of the world delights in reckless abandon disguised as freedom. Sinners delight in casting off all inhibition. But Scripture calls us to be self-controlled. We should practice discipline and restraint. When the end comes, we want to be ready, and that will require self-control. 

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In Acts 2, Luke writes about the Apostles being filled with the Holy Spirit and miraculously speaking in foreign languages. Jews from all over the world heard these Galileans fluently speaking languages they shouldn’t have known. Luke captures the crowd’s response—they were bewildered, amazed, astonished, and perplexed. They couldn’t explain it, but they knew something significant was happening. But some in the crowd mocked and accused the apostles of drunkenness. Isn’t it amazing that a notable miracle occurred right before these people, and they mocked the Apostles?

As we seek to walk in step with the Spirit, live out our faith, and share the gospel, we can expect resistance. Some will always prefer darkness and respond to the light with derision and hostility. Don’t let that distract you. While some will ignore and others will mock, there will also be those who watch and listen and just might respond to the gospel and become followers of Christ themselves!

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In Mark 5, we read about Jesus casting a legion of demons out of a man. What an incredible sight that must have been. What a great display of the Lord’s power! You would think that everyone in the area would be amazed and thankful. After all, the demon-possessed man had been a danger and an uncontrollable menace. Yet,  when the townspeople saw the man healed, their response wasn’t awe and gratitude. Mark 5:15 says, “And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.” In short order, they began begging Jesus to leave. 

Why were they so terrified? Perhaps it’s that when confronted with divine power, it causes mortals to be afraid. And it should. We should fear God—but that fear should motivate us to faithfulness and reverence, so that we might find comfort and security in the Almighty God. 

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Are you smarter than a cow or a donkey? We would all like to answer that with a resounding, “Yes!” And surely we are. But do we always act like it where it matters most? 

In the opening verses of Isaiah’s prophecy, listen to God’s charge against the people of Judah: “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” 

God isn’t being mean or insulting—He is bringing Judah’s foolishness to light. Dumb beasts like oxen and donkeys recognize their masters. They know who feeds them and cares for them. If that’s true of livestock, shouldn’t we be able to acknowledge as much? And yet, ancient Judah is not alone in forgetting God. 

So, how about us? Do we know we belong to and depend on God? Are we thankful for His care and obedient to His lordship, or could we learn from the cattle and donkeys?

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Yesterday, we considered the story of 2 Chronicles 18, in which 400 prophets were unified in their message to Ahab and Jehoshaphat concerning war. Another prophet—Micaiah—was also called to speak. When summoned, he was told that all the other prophets had spoken favorably to King Ahab and was told, “Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 

When the crowds and the masses are unified, going with the flow is tempting. It’s scary to speak out against something everyone else agrees on. But sometimes, that’s what we must do. Micaiah responded, “As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak.” What a great example of courage and loyalty. 

Don’t be swayed by widespread opinion. Be faithful to God and His Word. Faithful living and speaking may not always be popular, but it is always right. Don’t try to be like others—aim to be faithful to God. 

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Unity is a beautiful thing. In Scripture, unity is praised, and God’s people are commanded to seek unity. But are there times when unity is bad? Well, yes. If we are unified in error, our unity is nothing to be proud of. 

In 2 Chronicles 18, King Jehoshaphat of Judah joined with King Ahab of Israel to wage war against Ramoth-Gilead. Jehoshaphat wanted to inquire of the Lord before going up, so Ahab summoned four hundred supposed prophets. All of them agreed that battle should be joined, and God would give victory. 

Another prophet named Micaiah was summoned and was told, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king.” Hundreds of men were of one accord—they were unified. But their message was false. Their unity was destructive. Micaiah didn’t join them, but he was the one in the right. Pursue unity, but never at the expense of truth and faithfulness.