End-time Ethics

Maintain End-time Awareness (v.7)

A consistent theme throughout Peter’s letter: this world is not our home so live in light of eternity.

“soberly wise” and “gaining self control” — what governs our thoughts/actions/behavior/etc.

This informs our prayer life

Do our prayers reflect the reality of Christ’s return?

When it comes to praying, we should maintain a “state” of prayer, but also be mindfully specific in making petitions to God, wise according to the Word and fully aware that we are living in the last days.

Show Consistent Love (v.8-9)

Love is the law of kingdom (James), they will know us by our love, the second greatest commandment, etc.

This is a genuine commitment to one another, persistent even when we are exhausted, even when it is difficult, and even when it is inconvenient.

Further, Peter draws from Prov.10:12 “Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.”

Why? Love repeatedly forgives because it is constant and deep and committed to others.

The way Peter uses the word “covers,” it shows that love doesn’t do this once, but over and over again. Wayne Grudem says, “Where love abounds in a fellowship of Christians, many small offenses, and even some large ones, are overlooked and forgotten. But where love is lacking, every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is liable to misunderstanding, and conflicts abound.”

Our temptation in life is to cling to past hurts. We should not ask, “Can you believe they did that to me?” Instead, we should ask, “Have I shown them love?”

Love both earns forgiveness and seeks to repeatedly forgive.

I think Peter then gives believers a real practical way to show love: be hospitable without complaining.

Hospitality was a widely-accepted virtue in the first century, admired by Jew and Gentile alike. Even now, you hear people reminisce of the “good ol’ days” when you sat on your front porch and people just dropped by. We’ve lost this tangible expression of love.

Do we have a disposition to treat guests and strangers with cordiality and generosity? Bear in mind, Peter did NOT say be hospitable only when the house is clean or when they are your same social stature or you’re comfortable with one another.

Finally, what truly sets Christian hospitality apart is that it is done “without complaining.” That’s not to say if you can’t do it without complaining, don’t do it at all. Rather, our love should be so committed that it becomes natural to be hospitable without complaining.

We are called to show consistent love.

Love from a place of understanding. We can think we’re doing the right thing, but if it isn’t bearing the needs of others in mind, we run the risk of treating even something like love as a self-righteous act — look at how well I love by all the things I’ve done.

Love maintains unity, and the absence thereof magnifies division. Hospitality is the way Peter suggests intentionally loving others, which begs the question: “When’s the last time you’ve gone to lunch or invited someone from church over to know and love them better?”

Hospitality also becomes an excellent encouragement to others when the world seems to press in around us.

Serve the Body of Christ (v.10-11a)

Do you know how God has gifted you?

All gifts in the body, no matter how we view them, are necessary.

Notice that Peter puts no age limitations on this: as you’ve received a gift, use it as a good steward (manager or oversee — you’ve been entrusted with this grace from God). So everyone who is a follower of Jesus should be serving the church, no minimum age requirement, and no age of retirement.

The gifts have been given for the sake of others and the glory of God.

Build up other believers.

Do it for God’s “fame.”

Peter uses two broad categories for spiritual gifts: speaking/vocal ministries, and serving ministries.

If you are in any type of speaking ministry, do it as if you are speaking the words of God.

This is not “I’ve got a word from God...”

This is teaching with fear and trembling because you are God’s mouthpiece, and our opinion has no place in the presentation.

Scripture must be our motivation and source of truth…it must drive what is said. If I have a motivation other than the clear presentation of the truth of God’s word, I’m not speaking God’s word. Further, if what we teach strays from Scripture, and if anything is held up as equally authoritative as Scripture (the hymnal is not Scripture, our favorite commentator or dead theologian is not Scripture, and let’s be clear — I guard my study time in order that I might show myself approved and rightly handle the word of God, but I’m still fallible and my words are not Scripture), then I am not speaking God’s word.

If you serve, do so in God’s strength.

If I trust in my ability, if I never stray outside of what I’m good at, then I reserve at least some of the glory for myself.

Further, serve even when you don’t feel like it.

And, serve with the gift God has given you.

Give God the Glory (v.11b)

This final doxology provides the motivation for how we live life in light of living in the end times: to give glory and power to God.

We live for the sake of His glory, that is, that His holiness might be displayed in our lives.

And, to Him is given or belongs the “power,” the Grk. word kratos. The idea is ruling or governing power.

How do these two work together? We put His uniqueness, His holiness on display when we love according to His ruling or governing power and authority, seeking to offer every part of who we are in worshipful surrender to the God who loves us, redeems us, and will soon call us to be forever with Him.