The end of all things is at hand
1 Peter 4:7
The Scriptures give us a glimpse of the finish line – that glorious moment when we see Jesus face-to-face! Until that time we are called to keep our gaze on that Prize so that it will foster perseverance and safeguard us from being distracted from the goal and the mission. The apostle Peter, with the approaching goal in view, directs us to four activities to keep us focused and on mission so that we will finish the race well (1 Peter 4:7-11). The first is a continual mindfulness of God; be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers (v.7). John puts it similarly when he writes, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming (1 John 2:28). Secondly, Peter calls us to keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins (v.8). Love is the Hallmark of followers of Jesus because it invests in others the way that Jesus invested Himself in us.
The third charge Peter gives is to show hospitality to one another without grumbling (v.9). There is a natural progression; mindfulness of God shows itself in love, and love shows itself in hospitality. Invite those you don’t know well to your table, or a table. Sit down to a meal together. A dear sister among us had recently experienced loss and loneliness. Another couple in the church that did not know her invited her to dine with them. When I went to visit her, she said “You don’t know how much that meant to me!” Now they’ve had several meals together. Your home is a powerful tool to show the love of Christ. Around the table you can be real because you share a common need to satisfy hunger. In that small way you share your common humanity and rise above the current divisiveness of our times. This is a tremendous way for the church to shine. Are you feeling lonely or disconnected? Invite a family to your table and share a meal with them. This is ministry. It is a part of the mission.
Around the table you also share the mind of Christ because it involves investment. This might be why Peter exhorts believers to practice hospitality without grumbling. He wrote this letter to include many Christians displaced from their homes because of their faith. There was a tangible need. You are surrounded by people with needs. Hospitality is a powerful means of injecting God’s love into their lives. Use your table – or any table – to get to know another in order to encourage, to show the love of Christ. God loves a cheerful giver.
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