Considering the End Time and How to Live

“The end of all thins is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles for God; whoever serves as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” -1 Peter 4: 7-11 (ESV)

     The epistles of Peter were written at a time when persecution was severe against Christians. Many believers thought that Christ would return to earth soon, as He had told them. Peter writes that in anticipating the great hope of Christ’s second return, the Christians should live exemplary lives as He had taught Christians to live. Over two thousand years have passed since Peter wrote. We are still looking for the second appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is much nearer now than in the first century when Peter wrote. When we consider our present-day civilization, we who hold avidly to the belief of Christ’s second coming need to heed Peter’s admonitions about how we should live and conduct the affairs of our lives.

     Peter gave some very practical advice about how to live in anticipation of the Lord’s imminent return to earth. We ae to be self-controlled and sober-minded. The Holman Christian Standard Bible translates verse 7 thus: “Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer.” Serious means to be alert to what is going on around us. And we pray about matters, situations, people. “Watch and pray,” Jesus said in Matthew 25:13, “for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

     While we await His second coming, we are to love one another. We are to show hospitality (good will, kindness) to one another. In the first century, many shied away from Christians, fearing that if they were taken in and treated well, the host (or hostess) might also be persecuted. We are to remember that God bestows on us graciousness and good gifts. We are to share the gifts God gives us to serve others. We are to exercise spiritual gifts. If we have the gift of speaking to others, we speak as though we are delivering God’s message. If our spiritual gift is serving, in whatever manner we have the ability to do, we do so to glorify the Lord Christ and not ourselves.

     This passage from 1 Peter reminds me of the words from the hymn penned by Leila Naylor Morris (1862-1929) entitled “What If It Were Today?” The third stanza poses questions about our faithfulness and anticipation of His coming:

“Faithful and true would He find us here/If He should come today?

Watching in gladness and not in fear, If He should come today?

Signs of His coming multiply, Morning light breaks in eastern sky,

Watch, for the time is drawing nigh, What if it were today?”

     Prayer: Father, help us to be ready, watchful and in prayer, doing Your work and anticipating the time of the Lord’s sure return. Indeed, “What if it were today?” May readiness be our watchword. Amen. -Ethelene Dyer Jones 10.16.2016