It’s A Matter of Perspective
The message which the apostle Peter shares with us this morning in 1 Peter 4:7-11 is about perspective. He is urging them to look at their lives through the proper lenses: a.) Prior to becoming Christians they had lived their lives “partying it up” (v. 3). b.) Now he exhorts them to live “the rest of the time in
the flesh . . . for the will of God” (v. 2). The reason — “the end of all things is near” (v. 7). Peter believed, as did the rest of the apostles, that the Lord could come at any moment. Jesus had said, “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13). “You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (James 5:8, NASB95) When Christians believe that the return of the Lord is in their immediate future, it changes their lives. They live differently. There is a difference between believing that the Lord will return and that He will return soon.