Wednesday, November 27, 2024 - THE END IS COMING, ACT LIKE IT

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Wednesday, November 27, 2024 - Day 331 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Ezekiel 38,39; 1 Peter 4 )

THE END IS COMING, ACT LIKE IT

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. (1 Peter 4:7-11 ESV)

Today we hear Peter’s inspire warning. God wants everyone to know that “the end of all things is at hand.” He then uses the crucial responsive word, “therefore.” Yes the end of all things is coming (some think sooner than later). What should we be doing as we wait?

Jesus put it this way:

“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.” (Luke 12:37)

And how can we stay awake and ready for Jesus to return?

● be self-controlled

● be sober-minded

● keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

● Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

● As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another...

In other words, in order to be ready for Christ’s return His followers need to be busy serving others in His name. Now this activity is not to be confused with what it will take to spend eternity with Christ. Our works, no matter how blessed they may be, will not earn heaven for us. We could never be good enough to meet God’s standard of 100% perfection, without even one sinful thought. Instead, we are motivated to serve others because Christ first served us by dying on the cross for our sins.

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” 

(2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

Lord Jesus, thank You for taking my place on the cross and making it possible for me to live with You forever in heaven. As I see the signs of the end all around me, may Your Holy Spirit lead me to wait with purpose by serving others in Your name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape