A Christian must live a life which is in keeping with his union to Jesus Christ. Christ lives in him, and all of his life must be a reflection of the life of Christ. He must live according to the principles laid down in the law of God. He must live a life which at­tracts others to the Christ. He must live his whole life as in the presence of God. These things he must do consistently. Yet, there are times in his life when the urgency to live such a life is even greater than at other times. The Apostle now speaks of one of those times.

Be Aware of the Time⤒🔗

Peter reminds his readers that the end of all things is at hand. He does not mean that the return of Christ is expected in his life­time or in the very near future, but that he and his readers are living in the final dispensation. The former times (Old Testament) served to prepare the way for the coming of Christ. These former times taught the people their need of a suffering servant of Jehovah and God had revealed His love and grace to them by promising salvation.

When Jesus came, He took our nature, brought the sacrifice for sin, rose as Victor over death and the grave, ascended into the heavens to sit at God's right hand as Ruler over all things and sent His Spirit to make His work effective. The time of preparation had come to an end. We are now living in the end-time — during the whole gospel period — awaiting His return on the clouds of heaven. His return is the only event which still awaits.

Be of Sound Mind and Pray←⤒🔗

How long this period of time, called the end-time, will be, no one knows. They must, however, realize that the times are speeding to their conclusion. They will need guidance during this period of time. Many of those to whom Peter is writing (will) live to see the destruc­tion of the city of Jerusalem. Many thoughts will go through their minds at such a time. There will be the danger that many will be led astray. Jesus had warned the people of His day concerning these things. The people living during the gospel age must always be on the watch and ready, but they must not allow any "happening" during their lifetime to move them from the calling with which Christ has called them.

They are to be of sound mind and sober. The eye of faith must always be directed toward the return of Christ. This will influence their whole manner of life. Strange views concerning the time of His return or the manner of that return must not lead them astray. They may not allow their judgments to be darkened. They must be sane and sober. So only will they be able to continue in their prayers for the coming of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. If their prayers are hindered by wrong views concerning their Savior's return, their lives will not conform to the standards given in the word of God. Wrong views concerning the nature of the end-time will in­fluence all of life. Your prayers must continue as you have been taught!

Be Fervent in Love←⤒🔗

The life of the church is to be characterized by a fervent love which the members of that church have one for another. This was the commandment which had been given them by their Lord and reiterated by everyone of the Apostles. This belongs to the nature of their union with Christ. This love will be tested time and again dur­ing the long span of time between the first and sec­ond coming of Christ. This requirement is "above all." This relationship is of vital importance because otherwise they would like the "world" which has not tasted of the love relationship to the Christ.

The love which they are to show to each other "covers a multitude of sins." This is indeed a strange statement. No matter how much love we have — it doesn't cover sins! Even the love of God doesn't cover sins! Only the blood of Jesus Christ is able to do that. What, then, does the Apostle mean by this statement?

Perhaps the statement can be clarified best by considering the opposite of the statement the author makes. Hatred exposes the sins of others. It does this because it delights in these sins. Men speak of these sins and bare them before others. Love does the opposite. It does not seek to expose sins but rather seeks to cover them! He is speaking of the life of Christians during the gospel age. They are to love one another. They will show that love for their fellow believers by not parading the sins of others but by being silent about them. This does not mean that love closes the eyes to the sins of self or others, but: "Love suffereth long and is kind; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unright­eousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, endureth all things" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). This is the way in which love covers a multitude of sin. But, then love must be strong and the very heart of a believer's life.

Be Hospitable←⤒🔗

The love which they are to have for each other is not satisfied by the mere statement that they indeed love one another. It must show it­self practically. It is indeed significant how often the New Testament commands the people to be hospi­table. Jesus spoke of it; Paul referred to it many times; and Peter now commands it as an indication of real love for each other.

It was so important that the homes of believers would be open to give food and lodging to those who were persecuted for the faith and had to flee from one place to the other. It was also important for the messengers of the gospel as they sought to reach as many places as possible. This hospitality is to be given without murmuring. To afford hospitality to those in need was indeed a sacrifice for many. Many of the people were very poor themselves. Extra mouths to feed became a financial burden. Most of the homes were small. To invite a "guest" into the home of a sizable family was often a hardship. Yet, if you have a true love for the Christ, for His gospel, and for the people who share a common salvation with you, you will show hospitality without murmur­ing, but gladly.

Christ lays claim on us and all that we have. It is all to be at His service! This will also prove to all that the love of which we speak is genuine! Such hos­pitality will bring its own rich rewards. "Thereby some have entertained angels unaware," says the writer to the Hebrews. God's people always experi­ence that His commands are not grievous. God always rewards richly; and, as His people show their love for each other, their God reveals His love to them in ever greater measure.

Be Good Stewards of God's Grace←⤒🔗

Love for the Christ and love for His people has been given to everyone who confesses the name of Jesus Christ. True, it must be practiced more and more, but love belongs to the nature of the believer's life. Now Peter speaks of other gifts. These gifts are many and varied.

Each believer has received gifts! If we say that we have no gifts, we do not honor the incalculable wealth of our Father. Each believer must recognize the gift or gifts which he has received and must use these for the benefit of all. Each believer has been made rich for the church! Only when these gifts are used for the benefit of all will the individual be en­riched himself. The relationship between the be­liever and the entire church is so close that the one is not able to exist without the other.

They are to use their gifts for the profit of all so that they will be "good stewards of the manifold grace of God." This is a beautiful statement. It shows us that the grace of God is so varied, so rich, so many-faceted. No one has ever been able to pic­ture the grace of God in its full depth. By that grace He has given gifts to His people. They are gifts of grace.

The multitude of the gifts give us just a small pic­ture of the riches of His grace. His people are called upon to be good stewards of that grace! No one may then keep the gifts he has received for himself as though he is the owner of these gifts. He is but a steward, and a steward has to be faithful in the things entrusted to him. Gifts have been given to en­rich the body of Jesus Christ, and the steward must see to it that they are so used. What strength the church will display in this end-time when she is enriched by the gifts supplied to each one of her members!

Be Ministers for God's Glory←⤒🔗

In the concluding verse of this paragraph the writer speaks of some of the gifts which have been given to the members of the church. The gospel must be proclaimed. Men will be used to proclaim it. Not only those in office, charged with this specific task, but even many in the church will have opportunity to speak with those not of the household of faith. Let them speak the oracles of God.

This is not the time for vain talk. Let those who minister to the other needs of men do so by the strength which God supplies. Let God's people make known the way of salvation and let them also show benevolence to others. Let it not be done as a "do-gooder" but in the name of the God who appointed you to His service. Rejoice in being in His employ! Let others not only hear of God by your speaking but let them also see Him in your service to them.

In everything God is to be glorified through Jesus Christ. The life of every believer must be lived to show forth the praises of the one true God! That is the life which receives His approval, and only then are we attaining our purpose in this life. Selfishness has no place in the life of the believer. He will taste of the true joy of life only when he lives for his God. This was the goal placed before every man at the beginning, and only the true believer has recap­tured this purpose.

The believer's purpose in life is thus attained. This is the purpose of all that God has made. Glory and dominion belong to Him. As in the Lord's Prayer, we are to pray for the coming of His Kingdom — and conclude that His is the Kingdom! It is His and nobody can rob Him of it. The descrip­tion of the life of believers in the end-time ends in a doxology!

Questions for Discussion:←⤒🔗

1. What are the benefits and what are the difficulties of living in the end-time?

2. Is there good reason to urge people to be sane and sober about the time and manner of the return of Christ in our day? Explain.

3. Does the love of God save from sin? What does Isaiah 1:27 mean? What does the love of God accomplish?

4. Is hospitality toward others still quite impor­tant?

5. Does every believer have gifts? Explain.

6. What is meant by the manifold grace of God?