When the End is Near, We Put Plans into Gear

By Khen Lim

Image Source: kentucky.com

Here’s a story for you: A few years ago, this person was asked by church members to visit a woman they know who was dying of cancer at a hospital. Not sure of her spiritual condition, he went and was greeted warmly by her family who assumed he was a doctor. But on realising he was there to talk about spiritual matters, the atmosphere turned. Then he left and said he would return.

And he did, only this time, he could not get in to see the woman. The husband opened the door slightly and said she was “not up to a visit,” citing tiredness and a need to rest.

With the door slightly ajar, the person could see the wife sitting up in bed, reading movie magazines. Here was someone knowing she was dying but rather than deal with eternal issues, she preferred the fantasy world of Hollywood.

Knowing that eternity is not all that far away should significantly affect the way we live just as Peter reminds us that we are living on the edge of eternity. In 1 Peter 4:7-11, he focuses on the truth and how it manifests itself in our daily lives.

In fact he offers a few guidelines that would be beneficial if we understand and embrace.

Upon all of these, Peter reminds us that “the end of all things is near” and therefore should lead us to four specific actions. It does not matter that we do not exactly know when but it was Jesus who ushered in the last age and therefore the end is indeed nigh.

Firstly be sober and prayerful. Reflect on your life and take in a purposeful view of where you’re at and how far you need to still keep going. View your life in terms of what you know the future holds. With the thought in mind that the day of judgement shall come, then know how you must live your life. Be diligent therefore in how we pray to God.

Secondly love one another to the extent of forgiving. Peter asks us to love because of its power to cover a multitude of sins. We must remember that we forgive out of love and that without love, there is little willingness to forgive and little desire to live in harmony within the church.

Thirdly be hospitable without complaining. When you do things for others, do so without expecting anything back in return. You could offer food or clothes or a roof over his head or fulfil a deep-seated need but be motivated by a sincere desire to do good without favours returned.

Fourthly use the gifts that God has given each of us. According to Peter, there are two broad gifts that we are likely to each possess.

One is to serve. Rather than to sit back and let others serve us, we are to find ways and means to give back in return by serving others. The other is how we can proclaim God’s message. It may not necessarily be in preaching at the pulpit but it can be something as simple as to talk a little more about God to others.

We hold these gifts that God gave and as dutiful stewards, we are bound by an obligation to bring glory to God through Christ. It is only in doing so that we shower Him with much deserved glory.

When we know the end is near, we should have enough conviction to be led to these actions that Peter has laid out for us. It is these actions that will strengthen our own resolve to fortify not just our individual quest for salvation but also our church and the way in which we can glorify God.