1 Peter Chapter 4
When we converse on a deeper level with our peers in school or in the workplace, we will realise that our thoughts, principles, motivations, and hopes do not align with those of our peers who have not yet come to believe in the true and living God.
This difference was much more evident during the time when Peter wrote this epistle to encourage the dispersed Christians. The Jewish and Roman authorities openly opposed the followers of Christ, and many Christians had to run from their homes, and scatter abroad (1 Peter 1:1) to escape imprisonment, and other forms of persecution.
Our Faith Convicts the World of Sin
Although it is easier to ‘go with the flow’, and live amicably with everyone, we should do so without compromising on our own beliefs. Our beliefs and trust in God form the foundation of our faith. By our faith and accompanying works of faith, we convict the world of sin (John 16:8). It is inevitable that some will hate us, and we will suffer for this hatred against us (v4, 12, 16).
Today this hatred may be masked and less visible. Nevertheless, it is prevalent in acts of rebellion against the truth, an inflated sense of ‘self’, allegiance to false gods, and an uncontrolled indulgence in fleshly pleasures (v3, 15).
There are also many who may perhaps react passively, by brushing off conversations on religious faith. Regardless, we must be brave to stand out, speak up and be seen (Matthew 5:14-16), to always be ready to defend the hope that we hold dear to our hearts (1 Peter 3:15).
Christ Himself came down on earth with humility and compassion to touch our hearts, to cause us to see our sins, and to save once ignorant sinners like ourselves.
Serious and Watchful Prayers
We need courage to ‘put ourselves out there’ as we assume the roles of faithful Christian soldiers to save souls in this war against sin. This confidence can be built through serious and watchful prayers (v7b).
It is interesting that Peter specially mentioned prayers here. He must have been reminded of the time when Jesus had brought him and two other disciples James and John, to stay with Him and to keep watch as He prayed hours before He was to be crucified.
Neither James, John, nor Peter had sensed that Jesus began to experience deep distress. They had also not taken heed to the seriousness and urgency of His repeated requests (Mark 14:33-42). They missed their prayer times, and fell fast asleep. When the soldiers came to capture Jesus, all the disciples fled, leaving only two.
When faced with temptation, or opposition, if we are not serious and watchful in our prayers, we too will be overcome easily.
Stewards of the Manifold Grace of God
Just as God entrusted the first man Adam responsibility to tend and keep the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:15), today, we have responsibility to minister to one another the gift that God has given us.
We are stewards of God’s grace to us. We need to tend, nurture and use the talents we receive to serve our brethren well. If God has given us the ability to expound the word of God, we must speak responsibly and accurately (2 Tim 2:15).
If through God’s grace, we are ministers in our respective church ministries, we must work hard and give our best according to the ability which God supplies (v11).
The End of All Things is At Hand
As Jesus had explicitly mentioned in the garden of Gethsemane that ‘the hour is at hand’, do we realise that we are living in a very critical period of time?
The latest warning that ‘the end of all things is at hand’ (v7a) is evident in the form of our current Covid-19 pandemic. This pandemic has taught me that man has no control at all over his own life and destiny, and that God is very angry with our wickedness and evil acts.
Instead of staying out all day, or wishing for an overseas getaway soon, should we quieten our hearts and reflect on the state of our spiritual lives before our righteousness and holy God? How can we ever hope to stand before the judgement and wrath of God if we have made ourselves His enemies? (James 4:4)
“For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’” (v17-18)
