Suffering for Jesus Part 13
1 Peter 4:7-8 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; ESV=English Standard Version
Here are these same verses of 1 Peter 4:7-8 as translated by the ESV=English Standard Version: "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."
Now the Apostle Peter after having exhorted and encouraged and even enlisted those early believers 'in Christ' to employ themselves to turning away completely from their old life of drinking unto drunkenness and engaging in sexual immorality, he now gives them and us now the reason for our being steadfast and immovable (1 Corinthians 15:58) as he writes these words, "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." (1 Peter 4:7) (KJV). What does Peter mean by the 'end of all things'? Peter speaks of Christ return to the earth 🌎to judge, as it is written with these words, "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in His faithfulness. (Psalms 96:11-13) (ESV). Peter speaks so surely of this during the time he lived as if he expected the Lord's return any day, any hour, or any second. For even more sure than the sun ☀ rising and setting every day is the return of Christ Jesus our Lord to the earth 🌎. Even if we (as did Peter) physically die before He returns, the end of all things occurs then for every soul of man 👨, whether he be saved or lost. Therefore, Peter wants us who are saved to meet our Lord Jesus Christ, not in shame, but in joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8). So, Peter uses the English phrase 'be ye therefore sober' which is translated by the Greek word sōphroneō which means to be of sound mind, that is, sane, (figuratively) moderate: - be in right mind, be sober (minded), soberly. Peter also uses the little English word 'watch' which is translated by the Greek word nēphō which means (figuratively) be discreet: - be sober, watch. Watch unto prayer says Peter, that is, since the end of all things is at hand we should be in constant prayer (pray without ceasing) (1 Thessalonians 5:17) for the strength 💪of Christ's grace to keep us in His love and in obedience to His Word. We will do so if we pray as Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church ⛪with these words, "With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God's people." (Ephesians 6:18) (AMP). Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say of 1 Peter 4:7, "Resuming the idea in 1 Peter 4:5. the end of all things — and therefore also of the wantonness (1 Peter 4:3-4) of the wicked, and of the sufferings of the righteous [Bengel]. The nearness meant is not that of mere 'time,' but that before the Lord; as he explains to guard against misapprehension, and defends God from the charge of procrastination: We live in the last dispensation, not like the Jews under the Old Testament. The Lord will come as a thief; He is 'ready' (1 Peter 4:5) to judge the world at any moment; it is only God's long-suffering and His will that the Gospel should be preached as a witness to all nations, that induces Him to lengthen out the time which is with Him still as nothing. sober — 'self-restrained.' The opposite duties to the sins in (1 Peter 4:3) are here inculcated. Thus 'sober' is the opposite of 'lasciviousness' (1 Peter 4:3). watch — Greek, 'be soberly vigilant'; not intoxicated with worldly cares and pleasures. Temperance promotes wakefulness or watchfulness, and both promote prayer. Drink makes drowsy, and drowsiness prevents prayer.
prayer — Greek, 'prayers'; the end for which we should exercise vigilance."
The Apostle Peter now exhorts those early believers and we today and all true believers 'in Christ' of every era and generation to do that with one another that is above all things whatsoever and that is to truly love each other. True love 😍does no harm, it bears all things, endures all things, and true love never ever is glad in wrong doing but only in the truth, that is, all that is given to us children 🧒of God in the Word of Truth (1 Corinthians 13) (Psalms 119:43) (Psalms 119:160) (Ephesians 1:13). When we love our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' as He loves us, we care more for their well being, their comfort, and their walking and living according to the will of God than any thing else. So, Peter exhorts us with these words, "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) (KJV). Peter uses the little English word 'above' which is translated by the Greek word pro which is a primary preposition meaning in front of, prior (figuratively superior) to. It means our love for one another as 'born ones' should be the most important thing to us in this sojourn and pilgrimage home to heaven, for if we cannot nor will not love one another 'in truth' now in time ⌚when we will spend eternity with one another, then something is severely wrong. We should heed/listen carefully to the words spoken by Paul the Apostle to the Galatians, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another." (Galatians 5:13-15) (ESV). Since our desire for ourselves is all that is good, then we need to have the same desire (and even more so) for all others that Christ has given the gift of eternal life. This love for each other should be intensely emotional seeking only the good of all other true believers, not that we should use them in any capacity or that we should abuse them in any capacity, that is, be found defrauding another brother 'in Christ' by flirting with or lusting after or even sleeping with another brother 'in Christ' wife, instead heeding the words of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians, "That no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you." (1 Thessalonians 4:6) (ESV). Love and lust are like positive and negative, like hot and cold, like right and wrong, like oil 🛢and water 💦, the two don't mix for they are the opposite of one another, therefore, let us love 'in truth' (1 John 3:18). Note: "Help me your son Dear Father, Dear Lord Jesus, & Dear Holy Spirit to do just this. Amen!!!" Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of 1 Peter 4:8, "Here is a noble rule in Christianity. Christians ought to love one another, which implies an affection to their persons, a desire of their welfare, and a hearty endeavour to promote it. This mutual affection must not be cold, but fervent, that is, sincere, strong, and lasting. This sort of earnest affection is recommended above all things, which shows the importance of it, Colossians 3:14. It is greater than faith or hope, 1 Corinthians 13:13. One excellent effect of it is that it will cover a multitude of sins. Learn, (1.) There ought to be in all Christians a more fervent charity/love towards one another than towards other men: Have charity/love among yourselves. He does not say for pagans, for idolaters, or for apostates, but among yourselves. Let brotherly love continue, Hebrews 13:1. There is a special relation between all sincere Christians, and a particular amiableness and good in them, which require special affection. (2.) It is not enough for Christians not to bear malice, nor to have common respect for one another, they must intensely and fervently love each other. (3.) It is the property of true charity/love to cover a multitude of sins. It inclines people to forgive and forget offences against themselves, to cover and conceal the sins of others, rather than aggravate them and spread them abroad. It teaches us to love those who are but weak, and who have been guilty of many evil things before their conversion; and it prepares for mercy at the Hand of God, who hath promised to forgive those that forgive others, Matthew 6:14."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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