Read 1 Peter 4:1-11, Urgency

Look at 4:1: he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.  To understand this we need to remember the context.  We were called to live a Christ-like life, a lifestyle that will result in being reviled or defamed by those with whom we used to walk (4:3f).  If we do not suffer in this way we would do well to ask if our life of ease is not because we continue to walk in harmony with the ungodly.  Jesus made it clear that His followers would be treated like He was treated (Jn. 15:18-25).  But if we do suffer we could conclude that we must have some growing likeness to our Lord.  In other words, we are no longer living for the lusts of men, but for the will of God (4:2).

Allowing our trials in the flesh to do their work in us is a matter of urgency.  4:7 says the end of all things is at hand.  This phrase needs to be kept in the context of 4:5 which speaks of people giving an account to God who is ready to judge all mankind.  This judgment is coming soon, a sentiment echoed in Rev. 1:1 (things which must shortly take place) and Rev. 1:3 (the time is near).  Your first thought might be to question how 2000 years plus can refer to something that is at hand.  But of course Peter knows these thoughts and deals with this very question in his second epistle (2 Pt. 3:1-13).  In every age of the Church God’s people have been called on to sense the imminency of our appearance before our Judge.  Not only does this speak of future events; it speaks of the very reality of those events and of our participation in them.

This urgent reality should have a profound effect on the Body of Christ and the involvement of each believer in that Body.

·        4:7: We each must be faithful in prayer, being serious about it and on the alert in our prayers.  This is not a joking matter.  It is by prayer that God is brought into the situations of concern in our homes and our local church.

·        4:8-9: Peter returns to the command he gave earlier (1:22).  Fervent love for brothers and sisters keeps us from getting hung up on each other’s faults; by love a multitude of sins are covered over which is a very wise way to live (Prov. 10:12).  This love is not a mere feeling; it is expressed especially in joyful hospitality.

·        4:10-11: Each believer has been given grace (a gift) from God to dispense to the Body.  The urgency (the end of all things is at hand) indicates we will give account for our use of these resources (parable of the talents, Matt. 25:14-30).  Some gifts (e.g. prophecy, teaching, comfort) involve speaking and those with these gifts should understand God must speak through them.  Other gifts involve serving (e.g. service, giving, leading) and must be done, not in our own strength, but with the ability which God supplies.  If we serve in these ways then God is glorified through the people who belong to Jesus.  Further, if we serve in these ways our brothers and sisters are benefited, being encouraged to have good conduct in this world.

The local church is a powerful tool in the Lord’s hands to enable us to be having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles so that they might come to glorify God in the day of visitation (2:12).  Let us pray seriously, love fervently and serve faithfully.