Working in the Kingdom (Part 1)

In 2 Peter 3:8-10, Peter presents for us the conclusion of all things: the earth and heavens will be destroyed with a great heat, and all physical matter will perish. On account of this message, Peter says the following in verse 11:

Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

We can see, therefore, that we are to strive for holy living and godliness, hastening the coming of God. How, then, can we put this message into practice? In 1 Peter 4:7-11, Peter informs us as to how we should conduct ourselves since the end is near.

"But the end of all things is at hand" (1 Peter 4:7a). Peter here is making a declarative statement which is made evident in his and Paul's writings: Christ will return, and will do so soon. This is an ever-present concern that ought to be held by all men.

"Be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer" (1 Peter 4:7b). Peter here begins to make some conclusions on the basis of the previous declarative statement: "therefore, do these things." We are told first to be of a sound mind, an idea seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8.

There Paul relates to us that Christians are to be of the day, and to set aside the works of the darkness. Christians must always be alert, at any moment ready for the Lord's return! There is no room for slackening off while we walk upon this earth. Peter continues his thought with "be sober unto prayer." Why would we be sober unto prayer? Prayer is seen as our avenue of communication with God (Matthew 6:4), and if we are going to approach the Almighty God and petition Him with our concerns and cares, we had better be in a proper frame of mind to do so! Prayer must always become a greater and greater part of our lives, especially as we see time continuing on to its inevitable close.

"Above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). Peter here gives the ultimate priority for the Christian in the end times: fervent in love among yourselves. This same point is emphasized by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, and John speaks of it also in 1 John 4:7-8:

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Love must be an integral part of the life of the Christian, and what better power of witness is there than to demonstrate such great love for one another? Christians ought to be people known by and peculiar because of their great love, not only for themselves, but for all men. Peter also mentions that love covers a multitude of sins, a thought reminiscent of James 5:20, where we learn that helping to restore a fallen brother to the faith covers a multitude of sins. Our love for one another will find great approval in the eyes of our Father, and He will reward us in kind.

"Using hospitality one to another without murmuring" (1 Peter 4:9). Why would Peter ever discuss hospitality in a discussion of the end times? We may look at the world around us and see why-- hospitality is lost on many. This should not be so for the Christian! Paul, in Romans 12:13, says that the Christian should be "given to hospitality." Being hospitable is required of elders (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8), and is one of the requirements a widow would have to meet to be placed on the "list" (1 Timothy 5:10). As it is written in Hebrews 12:13:

Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Christians are to be hospitable people-- this is one impression that can be left on an unbeliever or a member of a denomination that will not be easily dismissed. We must be given to hospitality even more now that the day is approaching, so that the love of Christ may be manifest even more as the wickedness of the world may increase.

Peter further commands us to be hospitable "without murmuring," or, in more understandable English, "without complaint." If you, as a Christian, cannot stand to be hospitable to people on Earth, what are you going to do when you spend eternity with these people? If you believe that it is simply "too much work" to be hospitable, what would you do if the Father considered it "too much work" to prepare a place in Heaven for you (Matthew 25:34)? What if the angels of the Lord desired to be in your presence? Then what would you say? Hospitality may not be easy, but it is commanded of us for our own good, to make sure that we are continually edified and encouraged so that we may resist the evil one.

Continued next week!

Ethan R. Longhenry
evangelist@norwalkchurch.org

The church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio

Thank you for reading the electronic version of our bulletin, Good News for Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk or happen to be traveling in the Norwalk area, we would certainly love to have you visit one of our assemblies!

Our location:

386 North Edgewood Drive (just off US 250 just north of Norwalk's city limits)
Norwalk, Ohio 44857

Our assemblies:

Sunday morning assembly: 10:30am
Sunday evening assembly: 6:00pm

Our Bible studies:

Sunday morning Bible study: 9:30am
Wednesday evening Bible study: 7:00pm

For More Information

If you have any questions or comments about anything you have read here, or desire more information, please contact our evangelist, Ethan Longhenry, at evangelist@norwalkchurch.org.

Please click here to return to the 2006 archive of Good News for Norwalk, or click here to return to the main page of Good News for Norwalk. Thanks!