Waiting is never easy. It seems that waiting for an expected end just seems to make it feel longer. However, it’s always part of the process, and we need not get weary while waiting. We need to be busy letting others know about Jesus. We need to focus on the urgency of Jesus’ return. Part one of this devotion dealt with how we are to love and show hospitality to one another and to strangers. Today we will focus on the last part of what we are to do while waiting for the return of Christ.
I Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so, minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
I Peter 4:11 “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
In I Peter 4:10, we are to use the gracious gift that God has given each one of us. It is a gracious gift because it is a grace that has been endowed by the Spirit of God for service in and to the body of Christ. Every Christian has been gifted, and we are to be ministering and using them without a thought about ourselves. We should keep in mind that while we get physically tired, and may need a rest, we should never let ourselves feel we’ve done too much, or allow ourselves to want to quit. That is not of God. We need to keep our central focus on who we are doing it for. Colossians 3:23 says that all we do, we do heartily to the Lord. Others just happen to get the benefit of our love for our Savior. When you look at the service done for Him we can never do too much. He is so worthy, and we are so unworthy.
Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
Verse 11 reminds us again, that all the ability we have is a gift from God. These are gifts of speaking, like evangelists, teachers, or preachers. We are to use this speaking gift to make sure we are speaking correctly about what the Bible teaches. Our speaking needs to draw people to God, not to ourselves. I’ve listened to many speakers who were inspirational causing me to want to do something, but it was more about them than Christ.
The latter part of verse 11 reminds us that all that we do should be done with one main focus. We are to glorify God. He is the one giving the gift and supplying the strength. Peter’s response to these proclamations is Amen! This means so be it, or this is so!
Keep in your mind always that Jesus is coming, but until he does we have a job to do. Get up every day looking for Him. Then, work like there is no tomorrow. We need to be working toward a blessed end, that will culminate in being in the presence of our Lord and Savior. One day that WILL happen, and it WILL be worth it all!
