Hospitality Includes Ministering to One another

I Peter 4:7–11
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A certain minister preached one day on Heaven. The next morning he was met by one of his wealthy members, who said: “Pastor, you preached a good sermon about Heaven. You told me all about Heaven, but you did not tell me where Heaven is.” “Ah,” said the pastor, … More

Hospitality

In view of the possibility of the Lord’s return Peter admonishes the believers to be “sober” (v. 7). It seems that he was telling them not to get out of balan­ce in their emphasis of prophecy. If we think right and pray right our living should be right. 

Sobriety and informed prayer are important, but Peter says that “above all things” Christians should have “fervent” love for one another and be united in heart (v. 8). The word “fervent” means that we will have to work at it just as an athlete works on his skills. Peter refers to Proverbs 10:12 where it says, “Hatred stirs up strife: but love covers all sins.”

True love accepts a person just as he is, faults and all. This does not imply that the local church should not deal with gross sin in their congregation but simply that the Christian should not hold past sins against a brother who has confessed them and turned his back on them. Another evidence of true love is manifested in hospita­lity toward one another and the use of our spiritual gifts in ministering to one another. Hospita­lity is both and commended throughout scripture. Welcome people into your home and don’t grumble about it (v. 9). Each person is blessed with one of God’s gifts (vv. 10-11).

Application

What gifts do I have to serve the Christian communi­ty? How am I putting these gifts into practice? Am I sharing our home in generous hospitality, as Scripture commands?

I Peter 4:7-11 (English Standard Version)


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