7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11 KJV)
Serving for God’s Glory
We have here a solemn truth and a conclusion drawn from it. The truth is that the end of all things is near. The terrible destruction of the Jewish church and nation foretold by our Savior is now very close; therefore, the time of their persecution and your suffering will be short. Your life and that of your enemies will soon end. Even the world itself won’t last much longer. The final destruction will bring everything into eternity. The conclusion drawn includes several exhortations.
Be sober (1 Peter 4:7). Let your mindset be serious and steady. Be disciplined in your use of worldly things. Don’t let yourselves be pulled back into former sins and temptations (1 Peter 4:3). Be watchful and prayerful, always maintaining a calm and focused spirit suited for prayer, and be consistent in prayer so that this end doesn’t catch you off guard (Luke 21:34; Matthew 26:40-41).
- Thinking about how near the end is should lead us to take worldly matters less seriously and to focus more on spiritual ones.
- To pray effectively, we must be spiritually alert. Watch over your own heart and take every opportunity to pray sincerely and well.
- Controlling the desires of the body benefits the soul. When our bodily desires are guided by God’s Word and sound reason, and when the body serves the needs of the soul, it becomes a help instead of a hindrance.
And above all, have deep love for each other (1 Peter 4:8). This is a central Christian command. Christians should love one another—with real affection, a desire for each other’s good, and a sincere effort to promote it. That love must not be shallow, but strong and enduring. It is highly important (Colossians 3:14), even greater than faith or hope (1 Corinthians 13:13). One great effect of such love is that it covers many sins.
- Christians should have more sincere love for one another than for others. “Have love among yourselves”—not just for outsiders or unbelievers, but for each other. “Let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1).
- It’s not enough to avoid hatred or show basic respect; we must love one another intensely.
- Real love leads us to forgive and forget wrongs done to us, to cover the faults of others instead of exposing them, and to love those who may be weak or formerly sinful. This prepares us to receive mercy from God, who promises to forgive those who forgive others (Matthew 6:14).
Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9). This means generously welcoming strangers and fellow believers. In times of persecution, Christians were often displaced, and their fellow believers had to care for them. Sometimes they lost everything and had to flee. If they weren’t welcomed by others, they would have starved. So this instruction was both wise and necessary. It is commanded elsewhere (Hebrews 13:1–2; Romans 12:13). And it should be done kindly and cheerfully, not with complaint about the cost or inconvenience.
- Christians should not only be generous but also hospitable to one another.
- Whatever we give in charity or hospitality, we should do it gladly and without resentment. “Freely you have received; freely give.”
Whoever speaks or serves must do so using the gifts God has given (1 Peter 4:11). Whatever ability or spiritual gift we have, we are to use it in service to others, seeing ourselves not as owners but as stewards of God’s many gifts.
- Any power to do good is from God and should be credited to His grace.
- Whatever we have has been given for the good of others. We must not keep it to ourselves or waste it, but use it to serve others the best we can.
- We are stewards, not owners. The gifts we have are God’s property and must be used as He commands. “It is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
The apostle gives two examples—speaking and serving:
- If anyone teaches or speaks, they must speak as though speaking God’s own words. What Christians say privately, or ministers publicly, must be based on the pure Word of God, delivered with the seriousness and respect due to divine truth.
- If anyone serves—whether by distributing aid or giving charitably—they must do it with the strength God provides. Those who have been blessed with more should give more, in proportion to what they’ve received.
All of this should be done so that in everything—through your gifts, service, and actions—God may be glorified, and others may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16), through Jesus Christ, who gave these gifts (Ephesians 4:8) and through whom alone we are accepted by God (Hebrews 13:15). To Him—Jesus Christ—be praise and dominion forever. Amen.
Learn:
First, Christians in private, not just ministers, should talk to one another about God (Malachi 3:16; Ephesians 4:29; Psalm 145:10-12).
Second, preachers must stay close to the Word and treat it with the respect it deserves as the oracles of God.
Third, Christians must do their duties with energy and to the best of their ability. The importance of the work, the kindness of the Master, and the greatness of the reward demand our best effort.
Fourth, everything we do should aim for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Fifth, God is not glorified by anything we do unless it is offered through the mediation of Jesus Christ. He is the only way to the Father.
Sixth, the apostle’s praise of Jesus Christ and his declaration of eternal dominion prove that Jesus Christ is truly God, forever blessed. Amen.