How to live in these "Last Days"

How to live in light of the coming again of Christ.

Peter once again, in these verses, brings up the matter of the end times, the last days, the revelation of Jesus Christ. He has mentioned this truth either explicitly, or by implication many, many times in this short 5 chapter letter, and now he does it again. 

Let's look more closely at what Peter says. See the verses below.......

1Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

1Pet 4:8  And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

1Pet 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

The plan of God for the coming again of Jesus Christ is at hand in the sense that Christ could come at any moment, and upon His leaving this earth and going to heaven, the period known in the Bible as the "Last Days" began. And, thus we live with this truth as a reality and a very real possibility. 

Since this is true says Peter, then we ought to be living in the following manner.

1. Be serious.

2. Be watchful in your prayers. 

3. Be loving one another fervently.

4. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 

Serious means, to be in the right mind, to be of sound mind, to exercise self control, and to curb one's passions. He has mentioned this once or twice in his letter. It's important to pull ourselves together mentally, and stay calm, and not be afraid when threatening or difficult situations come about. 

Watchful means, to be sober, to be calm and collected in spirit, to be temperate, and dispassionate, ( or not influenced by strong emotion, and so be rational and impartial  ) This is of course closely linked with being sober. And, it really calls us to do what we can do, which is to exercise self control, and not give way to strong emotions. 

In your prayers. That is, to remain in fellowship with God, talking with the Lord, and listening to Him talk to you. To be in that communion with God. 

Be loving one another fervently, and to have this as the most important thing, the main priority in your life. To walk in love toward one another. To really be intent on this, and to be unceasing in it. 

Finally, he says to be hospitable to one another without grumbling, or complaining about it. It literally means, to be a lover of hospitality, and be generous to strangers. ( There were many people whom a Christian would come in contact in Peter's day, who would be complete strangers to them. Not unlike the world we live in today ) Grumbling by the way, is not to accompany our hospitality, that is not to have a grudging spirit, or a complaining spirit, or murmuring. 

So, we are living in the last days, the end of all things is right in front of us. And, there is a life to be lived in Christ, in the way that is described for us in the Holy Bible. What God calls us to do, He also enables us to do. It's not by our might, nor by our power that we can live the way God says to, but it's rather through the work of His Holy Spirit, and the power of God in our lives. 

God's Richest Blessings to you. 

Pastor Bob Grenier. 

Calvary Chapel Visalia .....