Make Every Day Count Series

We need, from time to time, to be reminded that we never know how much time we have left. I used to visit a man name David Fatheringham. He was a faithful believer in his eighties.

The doctor said to him, you might not live long at all. I can’t even assure you that you will see another day. But on the other hand you might live for a long time. Mr. Fatheringham said, thank you doctor. By the way he added the same thing goes for you.

Peter makes one of those statements that remind us we don’t know how much time is left. He is not speaking about our death, but the imminent return of Jesus Christ. When Peter writes this it has been about 30 years since he saw Jesus ascend into heaven.

Like the other New Testament writers who tell us of the second coming of Jesus Peter calls us to practical Christian living. The soon return of the Lord should affect our; prayer life, love for one another, our hospitality and our ministry of serving.

1 Peter 4:7-11

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Peter calls us to a life ready. If you live everyday as if it is your last day, one day you will be right. John Wesley did not joke about living each day as his last. When asked if he were to know he would die as midnight tomorrow he explained what he would do. “Just as I intend to spend it now”.

It is a testimony of a life ready. That is what Peter calls us to. The second coming of Christ is not in the Bible just so Christians can develop grand theories. But to encourage us to live right and be watchful and faithful. The teaching on the second coming of Jesus would be particularly meaningful to the suffering Christians Peter was writing to.

Make every day count in prayer

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

We need balance and self control even in regards to our prayer. The end is near and we don’t need the kind of excitability that might throw us into emotional frenzy and distract our prayer life.

I remember a time when excitability kept me from praying. It was soon after I had been clear from a potentially deadly skin cancer, Melanoma that comes from a black mole. I was at a prayer meeting and those praying were thanking God on my behalf that the cancer was gone.

As they were praying I opened my eyes and looked at my leg. I saw another black spot even darker than the one before. Then I saw another one. They prayed but at that point I really didn’t here a word. Soon the prayer closed and I went out to have a look at these black spots. I had ridden my bicycle that day. The black spots were tar and not more cancer.

A clear mind will help us to pray more appropriately for a given situation. Christ is coming again and time is running out. This should lead us to a sound prayer life.

Our love for one another vs. 8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

A reference to proverbs 10:12love covers a multitude of sins. Many things will fade into the background when love prevails and covers over them. When you love someone you are willing to look past mistakes. It is a beautiful atmosphere to operate in.

When someone is looking for you to make a mistake it puts you on edge. Love does just the opposite, it puts you at ease. Our number one call, above all, is to love one another.

Offer hospitality vs. 9

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

This hospitality is the outgrowth of love. In the first century those who were traveling for the sake of the gospel were dependent on the hospitality of Christians. Hotels were not available in the way we know them today. Peter traveled with his wife so he knew the great blessing of hospitality.