To Encourage You

1 Peter 4:7 “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”

One of the things the Scriptures do for believers is help them view things from a proper perspective.  For example, it reminds us that we aren’t going to live on this earth forever.  In helps us consider that we could leave at any time.  Have you looked at the obituaries lately and noticed the birth dates of those who have recently left us? I have, and it’s not that uncommon for those birth dates to be after my own.  It’s something that helps us remember that we are all “short-timers” on this earth. So, how should that influence how we think and live? 

In the passage above, Peter addresses this. In fact, Peter has been addressing this in the entirety of his letter. He’s speaking to Christians who are living under great stress. Persecution had been raining down on them, and martyrdom was a distinct possibility for each and every one of them. Peter, himself, knew that this would be his end, for Jesus had told Him so as recorded in John 21:18-19.  And so Peter tells his readers to “arm themselves” with a certain way of thinking (1 Peter 4:1).  It’s a way of thinking that will make sure they are prepared for the future, come what may.  In the verse above Peter delves deeper into this theme. 

He tells us that we should bear in mind that “the end of all things is at hand.” Again, he’s pointing to the fact that we are all “short-timers,” in a sense. Some believe that Peter was talking about the second coming of Jesus Christ when he wrote these words. Perhaps it’s the thought that Jesus could come at any moment so that should influence how a believer thinks and lives every moment of every day.  Regardless (for it’s now over 2,000 years later and Jesus has not yet come), it is certain that the “end of all things” for each and every one of us on this earth is at hand.  It was true for all of Peter’s fellow Christians at the time he wrote this, and it’s just a true for us today. 

So, how should this fact affect us? How should we live for “the rest of the time,” as Peter wrote just a few verses prior to the words he wrote above.  Well, he tells us that we should have a godward perspective. We should be looking up to the Lord first, rather than around us at our circumstances. We aren’t to be frantic, anxious, and fretful as we look at what is going on around us or to us. We aren’t to live in fear. But doesn’t that describe so many of us?  Peter is telling us to get hold of ourselves, to control ourselves, to be sober-minded about life.  He’s telling us to be in constant communion with our heavenly Father.  We should live in a continual attitude of prayer.  As Paul told us in the wonderful words recorded in Philippians 4:4-7, we should “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. let your reasonableness be known to everyone. the lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

It’s such a glorious alternative to the anxiety that plagues so many in this world.  It’s an orientation of the mind towards the Good Shepherd that is watching over us, who hears us, and who has promised to speak to His sheep if they will listen to His voice.  Listen to the words of Romans 8 which reinforces all this: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

So what’s your mindset today? What’s the orientation of your thoughts? Is it one of self-control and soberness because you are in continual communion with the King of kings? Or are you filled with anxiety as you look around you? Are you fearful of what may be coming around the next bend?   

May God help us to look up to Him rather than at our circumstances, for it’s in this way of thinking that our Savior, Who is sovereign over everything, promises to those who know and love Him His own perfect peace (John 14:27).