MAY 24 | 1 PETER 4:1-11
DAILY READING
1 PETER 4:1-11
REFLECTION
No Regrets
by Judy Webb
“The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:7-8)
The scripture continues:
Verse 9: offer hospitality
Verse 10: use your gifts to serve others
Verse 11: So that in all things God may be praised
Do you ever think we must be nearing the end of time? Our world is changing so dramatically—and not for the better—it seems there could be no other answer. But we must remember there have been many other societies in our world where evil seemed to gain and righteousness dwindled. Folks in those times had the same line of thinking. But only God knows...
We should always live as though this is our last day. From today forward let there be no regrets. Tall order? For sure! So how do we do this? When we understand each new day is not a guarantee, but a gift from God, our attitude will change. Doing things that glorify God is to be the aim of every faithful Christian.
In these verses, Peter is laying out some steps to accomplish this. First, “be alert and of sober minds.” Practice self-control and pray actively. “Keep watch and pray.” (Matthew 26:41) Next, it encouraged us to “love each other deeply.” Love changes everything, in this world and the next. We are instructed to love those we will spend eternity with. Did you ever think of this?
Love is a fire within. We won’t take any of our belongings, or riches with us when we die, but we will take our love! As Max Lucado writes in his book, Help is Here, “The fire of your heart is the light of your path.”
It is love that paves the road to eternity. First Jesus’ love for us, His unconditional love sets us on our way to Him. Out of His love for us flows our love for one another. And our hospitality, forgiveness, serving, and praying for, all evidences it. “So that in all things God may be praised!”
PRAYER PRACTICE
TDear Lord, show us how to live for today, as if it were our last opportunity to be kind and caring. Remind us how important it is to follow the example of your Son, Jesus as we deal with others in our life. There may not be another chance to tell someone The Good News.
