The end is near...

⁷ 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.
                                                                               1 Peter 4:7-11

This is not a message of doom and gloom.  Instead, it's a message of encouragement.  Peter is giving Christians some final words to prepare them for end times. I sense in the words he uses, a progression toward anticipating the return of our Lord as well as the joy associated with living the Christian life.

Look how it begins with the exhortation to be alert and sober minded so we can pray.  Of all the times we have felt the need of prayer, here toward the end of all things, prayer is again an emphasis.  Then the love toward one another is mentioned along with the often repeated phrase that love covers a multitude of sins. Next is hospitality without grumbling. Exercise your spiritual gift as a faithful steward of God's grace.

Peter then continues the progression by letting us know if we speak, we should speak the very words of God.  In serving, it is to be done with the strength provided by God.  And in everything, God is to be praised through Jesus Christ.

Isn't it amazing how internalizing the message from God's word, we can face the end of all things with confidence and assurance of God being in control.  Let's be praying and loving and speaking and exercising our spiritual gifts, and everything associated with being stewards of the grace of God.

To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

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