Living in Light of the End
1 peter 4:1-11
Main Idea: We prepare for the end by thinking and living rightly together, for the glory of God.
I. End-Time Thinking (4:1-6)
As we behold the suffering of Christ for us (cf. 3:18), we are instructed to ‘arm ourselves with the same way of thinking’ (4:1). Peter is calling us to prepare to expect suffering in this life, as we follow our Savior who was a ‘man of sorrows’ (Isa. 53:3).
Philippians 1:29: For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake
Those who “arm” themselves with this thinking have made a decisive break from sin; sin has ‘ceased’ to have dominion over them in this life. Embracing this life of suffering has two different applications:
Pressure Within: We are to “live no longer for human passions but for the will of God” (4:2). These passions that we are to “put to death” (Col. 3:5) and “put off” (Eph. 4:22) include sensuality / sexual immorality, cravings, drunkenness, and lawless idolatry.
Pressure Without: as Christians live holy lives as “sojourners and exiles” (2:11-12), it will provoke both surprise and maligning from the world.
Though we will face temptations to sin and the scorn of the world, we must remember whose opinion and approval ultimately matters: “Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” We should not cave in to these pressures because they are short-lived; even when we die, for those who believe the gospel, we will “live in the spirit the way God does” in new resurrection life beyond the grave.
II. End-Time Living (4:7-11)
Peter reminds us that “the end of all things is at hand.” The consistent witness of the NT is that we are living in the “last days” (Acts 2:17, 2 Tim. 3:1, Heb. 1:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:20) because of the finished work of Christ. The final act of redemptive history (the return of Christ) could happen at any time.
Being reminded of the “end of all things” should not produce outlandish fanaticism but instead ordinary faithfulness as we prepare for this day. Thoughts of the end ignite us to be “self-controlled” and “sober-minded” for the sake of our prayers (cf. Mt. 24:42-44; 26:40-41).
Our “clear-headedness” is intended to be played out practically together in the household of faith. Peter emphasizes three components of this:
1. Love one another
Our love for one another in the household of faith should be ‘earnest’ (cf. Lk. 22:44), and not half-hearted or begrudging. It should be an expression of Christ’s love for us, since love “covers a multitude of sins” (cf. Prov. 10:12; Jas. 5:19-20).
2. Welcome one another
Biblical hospitality is less about “entertaining” and far more about opening our heart, lives, and homes to others. This is hard and sacrificial work, which is why Peter urges us to do this “without grumbling.”
Romans 15:7: Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
“Whatever darkness inside of you troubles your heart, whatever capacities for wickedness and stupidity lurk within, whatever still haunts you from your past, however fearful you are that you will never change, know this: your sin does not intimidate Jesus. What is right in him far outweighs what is wrong in you. There is more grace in him than guilt in you. He is better at saving than you are at sinning. It is at the point where all of us feel the most disgusted with ourselves, the most hopeless, and the most worthy of judgment that we find Jesus most tender and gracious toward us… This is Christ’s welcome. He moves toward the needy, the outcast, the messed-up, and the sinful. He doesn’t recoil in disgust. He doesn’t keep his distance. He makes the first move, he approaches, he reaches out, he heals and restores. This is what it means for Christ to welcome us. This is what we’re to offer to one another.”
~ Ray Ortlund & Sam Allberry, You’re Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Weary Churches
3. Serve one another
In Christ, the Spirit has given “each a gift” that we are to “steward.” In God’s gracious wisdom, we have not received mere talents or abilities but “gifts” that are to be offered back to the Lord in worship and to his people in love. Whether ‘speaking’ or ‘serving’ they are all to be done by word and strength that God supplies, so that he might receive glory and honor.
