1Pet 4:7 But the end of all things has drawn near. Therefore be sober-minded and be sober unto prayers. 8 Above all, have fervent love among yourselves, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without murmuring,
All things on which the flesh rests will pass away, and the end of them, the apostle tells us here, has drawn near. This warns us that a life lived in the flesh in the lusts of men (v. 2) will soon be ended, for it is related to all things which will shortly pass away. Therefore, we should be sober- minded and be sober unto prayers. Literally, to be sober- minded is to be of a sound mind; it is to have a mind of sobriety, able to understand things properly and thoroughly without being disturbed. Furthermore, to be sober unto prayers is to be sober to watch; hence, vigilant. This is to be on guard; hence, sober unto prayer. This equals the Lord's word, "Watch and pray" (Matt. 26:41; Luke 21:36). We need to realize that all things will come to an end. Peter says that the end of all things has drawn near. Therefore, instead of loving material things, we should be sober-minded and be sober unto prayers. Do not set your mind on a better home, a better car, or a better education. The end of all such things has drawn near. Verse 8 continues, "Before all things having fervent love among yourselves, because love covers a multitude of sins." Love must be first. 245 In verse 9 Peter says, "Be hospitable to one another without murmuring." Peter wrote this verse according to his experience. He knew that hospitality can be troublesome. Because the saints love the Lord, the church, and the ministry, they are willing to extend hospitality to those visiting from other localities. However, the saints who show hospitality may be hospitable with murmuring. Some may complain about how a saint who once stayed with them conducted himself. This is murmuring. I hope that our hospitality will be without murmuring. (c) 2007 Living Stream Ministry.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of First Peter, pp. 244-245. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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