Encouragement in Persecution
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2. Christlike Service (4:7–11)
We have seen how the past sins of our lives and the future hope of glorification push us to live righteously in the present world. But now we see how serving one another, like Christ served the apostles, also gives strength for times of trouble. It is not just abstract ideas but definite actions which can help carry us through persecution.
i. Realization of Christ’s return should lead to clear-mindedness, self-control, and prayer. (4:7, Romans 13:12, Philippians 4:5, James 5:7–9; Matthew 26:41, Mark 13:33, Luke 21:36, Colossians 4:2, Ephesians 6:18)
“The end of all things is at hand.” This statement follows the previous verse, which spoke of those Christians who had died. It’s as if he is saying, “Those who are dead live with God, but soon, we all will live with God.”
The phrase “the end of all things” is not just talking about the chronological conclusion. It’s not just talking about having traveled the entire distance from point A to point B. It’s talking about the goal. The purpose. Just like when you reach the end of a movie, not only are you reaching the end of the runtime, but you’re reaching the final climax and payoff of all the things set up earlier in the story. The final resolution of the characters and plot, and often, an important part in the story’s theme.
The same is true for God’s story. As we approach the end of all things, we are approaching the purpose for which God made the world. We are approaching the purpose that He has been working toward for thousands of years. Things are falling more and more into place for that final battle and victory over evil, and we should realize that. If the end was at hand 2,000 years ago, then it’s 2,000 years more at hand now. We’re almost to the climax.
This knowledge should lead to increased fervor, not decreased. When you’re nearing the end of a story, the conflict always ramps up. The villain is unleashing his full power and throwing out every trick in the book. Yet, in any good story, the hero also becomes more powerful during this time and learns to overcome the increasing obstacles.
Again, this gives us wisdom for the story of reality. We should expect increasing difficulties as the end of all things draws near. We should not expect to be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease. That is not the story we are in, not now.
And as mentioned a few lessons ago, a large part of that fighting is resisting sin. This is revealed in the following commands.
Be sober—that is, be sensible, clear-minded, and of sober judgment. This is the opposite of the sins listed in verse 3. Sin can cloud our judgment. You’ve heard of Rome giving its people bread and circuses while the empire fell to pieces. Without being sober, seeking to meet our own desires can distract us from the real issues in our life and in the world. Samson was distracted from his true mission of judging Israel by all the allure of the Philistines. Sin makes us blind to our own faults and sometimes less hard on the sins of the world.
In contrast, realizing that the end of all things is at hand should spur us to cast off those works of darkness and put on a serious, clear mind.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Another aspect of this is self-control. Thinking clearly means having discipline.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Thinking clearly and controlling yourself go hand-in-hand. They mark a clear contrast from the indulgent, distracted person living in sin.
The reason Christ’s soon return should move us in this direction is because we should not want to be found unfaithful at His return.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
It’s like someone messing around at work, not actually working, and then the boss shows up. Or two siblings in a fight, and then the parent shows up. Better to be always doing the right thing rather than being surprised and embarrassed by an unexpected return.
After being sober, the next command is to watch unto prayer. These two actions are frequently connected in Scripture.
Exploring the Epistles of Peter: An Expository Commentary 1. It Should Make Us More Prayerful (4:7)
Watching sights the enemy; praying fights the enemy.
Watching helps us see what is wrong. It is very similar to being sober. Watching spots sin in our lives and strongholds of the enemy in the world around us that need to be town town. Praying is our most important weapon in dealing with both of these things.
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And so we have a summary of the basic duty of every Christian in these last days. Have a clear, serious mind informed by Scripture. Watch out for sin. Pray in the battle. These three things will help us resist the urge to surrender when persecution comes our way.
ii. Showing charity provides encouragement to continue in persecution. (4:8, Proverbs 10:12, 1 Corinthians 13:4–7)
The hope of glory to come should be inspiring and encouraging. The fact of Christ’s return should give us renewed strength to press forward in the battle. But sometimes, those things aren’t enough. We are physical creatures, after all, and sometimes we need physical encouragement.
This is where charity comes in. Charity is the love of God. It is desiring the good of another at your own expense. It is the love Christ showed on Calvary when he bled and died for every one of us.
This love is to be above all things. We just had a lesson about this last week, so I won’t say much about that, but it goes to stress how important it is. Being sober, watching, and praying are three key aspects of our resisting persecution. But even more important is showing charity. You could never be drunk, always be clear-minded, always watch, and always pray, but without charity, it would be fruitless work.
It must be fervent charity—that is, earnest, eager, and deep. This is love that goes out of its way to help others and meet their needs, even if they don’t return it. This is love that takes a bullet for someone who has never showed you kindness.
Ideally, within a church, this love is given and received on a regular basis. It’s not a one-way transaction. But charity must be given without expectation of return, or at least, not for that reason. Jesus did not die because we had been so good to Him, or because we were going to be so good to Him. He did it in spite of our sin and in spite of how we could continually go astray even after salvation.
One aspect of this charity is overlooking sins. It covers a multitude of sins.
Hatred stirreth up strifes: But love covereth all sins.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
This is not saying that charity is blind, but that charity sees and accepts the faults of others. Behaving with charity, we should not beat someone over the head with their faults, nor think poorly of them for discovering that they are a sinner. We should instead (as long as that person is repentant) seek to help them live rightly and be merciful when they sin, like God is merciful with us.
It is similar to the parable of the unforgiving servant.
“As God with His love covers my sins if I believe, so must I also cover the sins of my neighbor”
iii. Christians should give to strangers and fellow believers in their need. (4:9, Matthew 10:11–15, 25:35)
Hospitality literally means “showing kindness to strangers.” It has the implication of taking people into your home, but at its core, it showing kindness to strangers and meeting their needs.
In the early church, this often took the form of Christians allowing itinerant teachers into their homes. You can find many passages throughout the New Testament mentioning one apostle or another staying and/or teaching in someone’s house. Hospitality was essential for the growth of the early church.
And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
This still applies today as we sometimes have evangelists come through that need a place to stay. Of course, there are hotels, just like there were inns in those days. But hospitality saves a traveling teacher from spending money and gives a chance for edifying Christian fellowship.
Beyond that, every Christian should show hospitality to anyone, especially those within the church who need help. Let’s say that someone was kicked out of their family home because they converted from the family religion to Christianity. They might be wandering without a home and without anyone to look out for them. Someone else in the church taking them into their own house, showing them hospitality, would be a huge blessing and encouragement. Someone cast out of their home might be tempted to go back to their old way of life just to have a place to stay. But with hospitality, they would be strengthened to continue in what they knew to be true.
There is a blessing promised to those who show hospitality to strangers, Christian and non-Christian alike.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
“Without grudging” means that, even if your guest is messy, has bad manners, and doesn’t smell good, you shouldn’t be complaining behind their back. I can imagine how easy it would be to have someone over but while they’re in another room complain to another family member about something. This should be freely-given generosity that puts up with annoyances like that.
What does this look like today? Giving out of our own abundance to meet the needs of others. This will include the home at times, and at other times might include something else. But it is the spirit that is important here—the spirit of seeking to help those who need help.
iv. Spiritual gifts are meant for service to others. (4:10, Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:8–9; 1 Samuel 17:38–40)
Charity and hospitality are two closely-related parts of encouraging other Christians. But another key part, once you are exercising charity, is to use your spiritual gifts.
The first part is “every man hath received the gift.” We know that every Christian received at least one gift at salvation. There are several lists of these, which may not be comprehensive of all gifts, but give us an idea of what they look like.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Knowing your gift is the first part. But once you know, it should be used to serve.
Notice here the phrase “minister the same.” Use the gift you receive to minister to others, and don’t try to use the gift of the person next to you. Of course, we must remember that we should seek to grow in all the gifts. This isn’t an exception from encouraging or showing mercy. But the point is, your service doesn’t have to look like the person next to you. It should be based on the abilities and limitations God has given you. If you teach a class in church, it doesn’t have to look like any particular preacher. If you encourage someone, you don’t have to use the same words as someone else. Be genuine.
And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
I’m pretty confident that David learned to use armor and a sword later in life. There was nothing morally wrong with using them. But in that moment, he minister with his gift—proficiency with the sling.
Using our gifts to serve one another is one way we are good stewards of the grace of God. A steward was a household manager who oversaw his master’s wealth and distributed it as directed. None of the wealth was his, but he took ownership in his oversight as if it were.
The use of a household role is important because it characterizes the kind of service there should be in a church. A healthy family is characterized by sharing and cooperation, not competition. There is no trophy for being the most spiritually gifted, or giving the most money, or serving someone in the coolest way. This is not a competition, but a cooperative effort. We must focus on doing the best with the gifts we have.
Exploring the Epistles of Peter: An Expository Commentary 2. It Should Make Us More Practical (4:8–10)
The gifts are not ours; they are His. We shall be held accountable for what we have done with them.
v. In good stewardship of God’s grace, spiritual gifts should be used to their fullest. (4:11a)
Peter divides all the spiritual gifts into two broad areas of service—speaking and doing. For those who speak, he gives this admonishment—let it be as the oracles of God.
This phrase, “oracles of God,” is used often to describe Scripture being given to mankind. Outside the Bible, it is used of prophets, seers, or those who speak with divine authority (oracle of Delphi).
While any teaching or preaching is not going to carry the same weight as Scripture, the point is clear enough. Everyone who speaks should speak with all the eloquence and authority of a prophet of old. We might not have some new revelation, but we have old revelation, and we can preach it with the same boldness that the prophets spoke their words from God. The word “oracles” implies wisdom and authority.
So if you teach in the church, be the best you can at it. Speak boldly. Speak with authority, as Jesus did, and not as the scribes. Let your words be saturated by the wisdom of God.
The second category is ministering, and a similar command is given. It should be as of the ability which God giveth. In other words, do it to the capacity that God has given. Everyone will serve in different ways, but all should serve as much as they can. They should serve of their ability.
So if you are working behind the scenes, strive to excel in your work. Be excellent in your service, not half-hearted.
vi. All selfless service is ultimately to the glory of God. (4:11b, Matthew 5:16)
This pursuit of excellence is not to our glory, but to God’s. Seeing Christians go all-out in their service, especially the selfless service of charity and hospitality, glorifies God in the eyes of Christians and the world. This is because the wisdom and thoroughness that should characterize service reflects the wisdom and thoroughness of our Savior. It reflects well on Him that His people should not be lazy and half-hearted.
The ultimate goal of all ministry—whatever gift, whatever form—is the glory of God. We accomplish this by doing a good job of doing good to others.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
This is a simple fact, but when I realized it a few years ago, it really changed my mindset. We all want to glorify God, but sometimes the phrase is used to much that no one knows what it means. At least, I didn’t. But Jesus reveals in Matthew, and here in 1 Peter, that one major way we glorify God is by serving others as much and well as possible. It’s not an easy mission, but it’s so clear and simple despite the lofty goal.
Finally, we see a benediction, giving glory to the God we are serving. He is worthy of all praise and dominion for ever and ever. This is what we give to Him when we serve.
In summary, we see that sober-mindedness, watchfulness, and prayer are the first steps to right Christian work. But in the midst of those things, we must emphasize charity, hospitality, and doing good to others with our gifts.
So let’s be like Jesus and give our lives for the good of others.