COV LIFE BLOG

1 Peter 4:7-11 – Living and Loving In Light of The End

Too often, people’s main concern in thinking about the end times is how they can protect themselves. They want to be assured that they wont suffer through the tribulation; or (if they believe they will go through the tribulation) that they can somehow stockpile enough food for themselves; or that they’ll have enough material goods to live comfortably through the bad times. But can we read this passage and honestly say that’s to be our top priority? How much different would our attitude toward the end times be; and how much different would our preparation for it be; if our primary concern – before anything else – was how God might be glorified in all things through His Son Jesus Christ?

And so, let’s be appropriately concerned about the end times. But let’s be sure that, in doing so, we’re asking the right question. Let’s not ask, “Am I living in the last days;” (because it seems obvious that, from the standpoint of the redemptive program of God our Savior, we are). But instead, let’s ask, “Am I living faithfully? Am I doing what I should be doing? Are we, as a church, doing what we should be doing? Are we keeping our heads clear so that we can properly pray? Are we fervently loving each other as a matter of top priority? Are we opening up our homes to one another and practicing a spirit of hospitality to one another without complaint? Are we being faithful to practice our spiritual gifts in the faithful service of one another?”

If we’re doing these things, then we’ll simply be “being the Church” – living as a genuine community of faith before the watching world – and God will be glorified in us through Jesus Christ as we approach the culmination of all things. Can there be any better way to prepare than that?

Gregg Allen

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SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SUNDAY
Read 1 Peter 4:7-11. Do you realize that the end is near? Do you live like its near? If not, what would that look like in light of Peter’s admonition?

SONG FOR THIS WEEK
Cornerstone by Hillsong