_PREPARING FOR THE END_ ‘The end of all things is at hand; be se therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.’ 1 Peter 4:7 As men advance upon the path of life, they find that one thing after another comes to an end. But this apostolic message warns us that the end not only of this thing and of that,... [ Continue Reading ]
_CHRISTIAN EXPECTATION*_ ‘Watch unto prayer.’ 1 Peter 4:7 Of old, certain Sundays in the Church’s year were known by particular names or titles, and in some measure this practice is still kept up. The ancient title by which the Sunday after Ascension Day was known was Expectation Sunday, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM_ ‘The end of all things is at hand … watch unto prayer.… Have fervent charity.… Use hospitality.… Speak as the oracles of God … that God in all things may be glorified.’ 1 Peter 4:7 These verses teach us how our earthly calling is to be made a preparation for the comple... [ Continue Reading ]
_INTENSE CHARITY_ ‘Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.’ 1 Peter 4:8 The charity about which St. Peter and St. Paul wrote is love; that love for each other, perfect, honest, _ intense_ (that is the word that brings out the true mea... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE EDIFICATION OF THE CHURCH_ ‘As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another.’ 1 Peter 4:10 The weight of the Apostle’s exhortations is strengthened by reminding those whom he addressed of the ‘end of all things.’ The Son of Man, Who ascended to heaven, left behi... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE PROBLEM OF PAIN_ ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you … but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of His glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.’ 1 Peter 4:12 (R.V.) The th... [ Continue Reading ]
_FELLOWSHIP IN SUFFERING_ ‘Ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.’ 1 Peter 4:13 If you do think of the troubles of others when you are in trouble yourselves, you should always think how mercifully you have been spared, and thank God that the burden you are called upon to bear is not so heavy as... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE TWOFOLD NATURE OF SUFFERING_ ‘But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.’ 1 Peter 4:15 As we cannot escape anxiety a... [ Continue Reading ]
_SUFFERING ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD_ ‘Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.’ 1 Peter 4:19 There are occasions when the commonplaces of consolation fail; when our hearts, appalled by the e... [ Continue Reading ]