Day 1,160: 1 Peter 4- Stewarding God's Grace

​Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
       “If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
 
Meditation
God’s sovereign grace guarantees that Jesus Christ will return in glory, ending the broken order we endure today by bringing His comprehensive rule and reign. The guaranteed return of King Jesus does not justify passivity but should jump start practical righteousness. 
 
Christians are stewards of God’s grace given to us through Jesus Christ and we have a window before His return to invest what He has entrusted to us. The beginning and end of today’s reading reinforces the persecution and problems Christians will have when we follow Christ in a fallen world. Christ suffered in the flesh, and so will His followers (1-6). Christians should not be surprised by trials, insults, or suffering for our faith when we follow God’s will (12-19). Solidly settled between these reminders are details of how we live and love until Christ returns.
 
“The end of all things is at hand…” Until that day, practical righteousness should saturate our discipleship. Peter offers five facets of what this looks like (7-11): Self-control, sober-mindedness, sacrificial love, stewarding God’s grace by deploying God’s gifts, and showing hospitality. Clear gospel ethic should mark Christian endurance until Christ returns.
 
Christians are called to be “good stewards of God’s varied grace (10) … in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” (11) Christians rejoice insofar as we share in Christ sufferings while following Him in a fallen world (13), ambitiously stewarding God’s grace to optimize God’s glory until Christ returns. And Jesus will return!
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from the meat in the middle of today’s suffering sandwich, the practical righteousness Peter details before Christ returns?
 
-Why is it difficult to steward God’s graces through Self-control, sober-mindedness, sacrificial love, deploying God’s gifts, and showing hospitality?
 
-How does the faithfulness of God revealed in the finished work of Christ fuel your hope of His return and fortify your desire to faithfully steward what He has entrusted to you until He comes again?
 
Key Verses
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.