Taking A Break
1 Peter 4:7-11 ESV
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of 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.
I was surprised to read First Peter again. What surprised me was how much Peter talked about suffering. The entire book deals with the subject, and the fourth chapter starts and ends with the sufferings we encounter as believers. Quick note, it's not suffering with sickness and disease and mental torment. The suffering is due to being a Christian and endeavoring to live for Christ in a dark world. But we're taking a break from suffering today to talk about serving.
Peter is encouraging the believers to be sober-minded and disciplined in their prayers. He believed that the end time had come. We think he must have missed it because he spoke over two thousand years ago. Peter must have been sensitive to God's time frame, not man's. But the overarching purpose was to stay focused and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer.
Love one another with a deep, sincere love. Love is the underlying motive behind serving, and it's love that covers a multitude of sins. Think of the parent who looks past the behavior of their child, labeling them as adventurous, while everyone else thinks the child is a problem. Love covers.
And show hospitality to one another, which in that day often involved opening your home to believing travelers or other believers who need help. And do this without grumbling. I think when we grumble, we lose the reward of showing hospitality. God loves a cheerful giver.
Use the gifts God gave you for serving one another. This may come as a surprise to some thinking that they have no spiritual gifts. But the Scripture is clear, "as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another." The bigger picture is that by using the gifts God gave us, we are good stewards, or managers, of that gift. So you have a gift, and you may not recognize it until you begin to step out and use it. But by using your gifts, you not only bless the Body of Christ, but you also bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.
Pray, love, be hospitable, and serve one another with your gifts. God will be glorified, and you will be glad you did.
Prayer
Lord, show me how I can use the gifts You gave me to bless others and glorify You.