But the end of all things is at hand:
be ye therefore sober, and watch
unto prayer. And above all things
have fervent charity among yourselves:
for charity shall cover the multidude
of sins. Use hospitality one to another
without grudging. As every man hath
received the gift, even so minister
the same one to another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace
of God. If any man speak, let him
speak as the oracles of God; if any
may minister, let him do it as of the
ability which God giveth: that God in
all things may be glorified through
Jesus Christ, to whom be praise
and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1Peter 4:7-11
Peter declares that the end is at hand and if so then it is even more at hand today. We do not know the day and hour that Jesus returns but we do know that in the course of time He will return for His bride and destroy in completion sin. The Greek word translated "sober" is greater than our English for it means to be "sober-minded." Some may think that this word "sober" means to not be drunk with alcohol. It does in some sense but it means more inasmuch to be of a sound mind, temperate, discreet, to be in one's right mind, to have a humble mind and this is what Peter had in mind when wrote those words for us as he goes on to write about charity and love. If a person is watchful then they will be in a mind of prayer and by this relationship to God you will have charity among others especially those of the bride of Christ. Not just some kind of charity but one that is fervent for this is the type of charity that will cover a multitude of sins.
Hospitality or to be hospitable is to treat guests or strangers warmly and generously therefore hospitality is a friendly reception, to show welcome to strangers, those who may come to visit your church looking for a church and you will be judged by your hospitality. Peter expands this word "hospitality" to those within your church. To often there is grumbling and a begrudging of others forgetting that God called them to Himself and that He gave to them gifts and those gifts will be different from yours and will be stifled if not receiving hospitality. You and I are to minister to those others that we too often avoid and if you do so then you will be a good steward of Jesus Christ. You are to show grace to them as God showed grace to you. Another Christian may speak different from you and even have another thought about certain practices and doctrines but we are to hear them and if they are in error in love correct them by if they speak the truth and speaking the oracles of God we are to allow them to speak. Listen to another, check him or her out by taking time privately to study Scripture and assure the truth. The goal is not to prove the other wrong but to glorify God and to grow in our relationship to Jesus Christ to whom should have and will have our praise forever starting NOW!.
Let us go back and investigate this word "charity." To be charitable and show charity is to be generous toward another either by gifts to aid another but it is more: it is to be kind or lenient in judging people. It is these generous actions that show your love a love that you received from Jesus by His death on the cross paying that debt you owed to God. You did not earn it, you did nothing to be given this gift for it is a free gift. Yes, you must accept it and this by choosing to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior but it is free. Do you avoid some in your congregation? Do you notice when someone is absent especially when they are most regular to come to church? And do you take time to find out why they are missing from church, and do you take time to call them? Do you avoid those who cannot wear the best of clothing? Do you avoid those who have issues that at times get worn when this is all they have to speak about? It may be that they are lonely and need to feel loved. We do not go to church to to go to Sunday School, or to sing worship songs, or to just hear the preacher, no, we are to do more and that is to show charity and to minister to one another. Are you leaving this charitable work to the minister or other elders? Are you leaving church to go and play, to do other things that you desire to do but have no reason to do, as in work. Do you leave church early leaving all behind so that you do not have to deal with those you do not like?
Well, if any of those questions apply to you then you need to make changes for you are not just another person, you are a member of the bride of Christ and you have a responsibility to those in the bride of Christ. Will you take up this responsibility? The choice is yours but remember you will give an account of all you have done and said on the day of judgment and if this does not compel you do what Jesus requires, what the Holy Spirit inspired Peter to write then I do not know what will. We are not the world and are not of the world even though we are in the world. Leave the world and become a faithful and loving brother or sister.
My eyes will be on the faithful
in the land, that they may
dwell with Me: he whose walk
is blameless will minister
to Me.
Psalm 101:6
Show charity to someone today
Richard L. Crumb
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