By1st Peter chapter 4 verses 7 to 11 covers general instructions to all believers in Christ, concerning how we ought to live careful lives and behave well to one another as we serve for God’s glory. The instructions are many. But today, by God’s grace, I’ll take them one by one and delve deeper into this article. So don’t stop here. Go ahead and read on.
Verse 7
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”
1 Peter 4:7 (NKJV)
How does this verse sound to you? To me, it sounds like an emergency message we have to live with as Christians. But to them, the Apostle hammered it more because he thought Jesus’ second coming was so near. Meanwhile, it has lasted for more than 2000 years. I believe God’s timing system is different from that of humans. And just because Peter didn’t discern Jesus’ second coming time very well doesn’t mean the message written there isn’t relevant. Jesus is coming soon, and each believer ought to live with eternity in view in everything one does, especially in terms of fulfilling divine purpose.
Jesus is coming soon, and each believer ought to live with eternity in view in everything one does, especially in terms of fulfilling divine purpose.
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Be serious
This part of the verse means a lot to me. Note that as believers, we’re not just told to be serious but also watchful in our individual prayers.
Concerning seriousness, I would like to bend more on ministerial matters. Many Christians don’t treat ministry matters as urgent. They approach God’s work with so much laxity and murmurings, and that has been an issue in several ministries. Today, it’s common to have half-hearted individuals serving in church, some with even sinister motives behind their actions. God have mercy. Now, it is one thing for there to be a fault in the administration of a ministry, for which some things done ought not to be so. Nevertheless, as a believer, always remember Philippians 2:14-15, which says,
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, [15] that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”
Philippians 2:14-15 (NKJV)
When you are told to do something you don’t really want to, but in essence, bless others, remember this and approach it with the spirit of grace and excellence.
Be watchful in your prayers
Concerning prayers, Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 (NKJV) that,
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Watching helps make your prayers more directional instead of being scattered. For example, if God has been prompting you in your spirit to pray for a long-distance family member you’ve not been in contact with for several years, that is unusual. Right? However, because you know that God has spoken, you’ll continue to pray for that person in your closet. And you’ll see that in no matter of time, you’ll see the fruit of your labour. Prayer is effective but becomes more directional when there’s a watching.
Prayer is effective but becomes more directional when there’s a watching.
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Verse 8
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)
I just loved this scripture when I took the time to read it more calmly. What does it mean to have fervent love for one another? It means being so deeply rooted in love toward other fellow Christians, especially those you’re in fellowship with, that you’ll not recognise their faults when they offend you. And that means that church is not a no-offence arena. Church involves ‘multitudes,’ which Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre Abuja, Nigeria, interprets as multiple people with mixed attitudes. See, not everyone was raised in a well-cultured home; not everyone is spiritually mature enough to discern between good and evil well. So love people, forgive them as Christ forgave you and live in harmony with them.
Verse 9
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”
1 Peter 4:9 (NKJV)
Hospitality is a cherished virtue in this world. It’s so important that it has become a means for governments to get billions through tourism. But the idea of excellent hospitality didn’t originate from the world. Instead, it is found in Christ. Why? Because the world sees hospitality as a business, but we believers see it as an extension of God’s love unto people, especially ourselves as believers.
When 1 Peter 4:9 was written, there weren’t modern guest houses or hotels. Some believers weren’t living in comfortable homes, so they depended on others for accommodation. And because of that, some were grumbling (or complaining) about offering such a service. That’s why the Apostle came to correct that behaviour. Today, this scripture is for you.
A time may come for you to accommodate someone in your home for a few days or show kindness to strangers. Anytime you get into that realm of life, do it out of God’s abundant love in you and forget about the person’s response, whether good or bad. God will reward your works.
Verse 10
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)
This verse is extremely critical for ministers of the gospel to note, although each child of God has at least one divine gift in Him for one’s purpose. Now, with whatever spiritual gift God has given you, you’re required to minister it to others. Why? Because you’re a steward of that gift by grace. If you can prophesy, it’s a grace. You’ll only grow in such a gift by consistent practice as you keep communing with the Lord in your closet. If it’s writing, it’s the same process.
Trees don’t produce fruit for themselves but for others to enjoy. You’re not a tree, but your gift is like a fruit meant to help others. So use it well!
You cannot serve God with your own strength. You need grace, and that grace is within you by the Spirit.
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Verse 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.”
1 Peter 4:11 (NKJV)
The verse 11 is a continuation of what the Apostle started saying in the verse 10. If you can speak, do it well as one beholding the oracles of God by revelation. If it’s about ministry (service in any way, not just by the pulpit), do it with God’s ability, not yours. You cannot serve God with your own strength. You need grace, and that grace is within you by the Spirit.
Commit to God in everything you do. Serve for God’s glory in whatever you’re doing or assigned to do with all your heart. And God, who’s the perfect rewarder, will reward you mightily for your labour.
You’re a blessing!
