Empowered to Be Stewards (1Peter 4:7-11)

EMPOWERED TO BE STEWARDS (1Peter 4:7-11):

As many other apostles and some Jewish people, Peter also expected the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the judgment of all the people. Before the second coming of Jesus, there were certain things that were foretold to happen in the last days. Peter writes the letter during 60 A.D. and during that period there were a lot of tribulations and destruction of the church was initiated. So, Peter cautions the believers that the end of all things is at hand. Because Peter believed that the days of his age are last days, and he insisted the believers control themselves and be sober-minded by considering everything they are in and been entrusted. Believers have a relationship with God by means of their prayers and they ought to live a life that is pleasing to God. Therefore Peter says them to be patient, tolerant, and cautious in everything to shine as witnesses wherever they are.

Every commandment given by God lies in the word ‘Love’. For every believer, love is a necessity and a commandment that is to be kept at all the circumstances of life. So Peter says the believers to keep loving one another earnestly and above all. Love not only helps to relate with people better considering them in their own status and position, but love also helps a believer to show the right path for others by encouraging them and guiding them. Love does not envy or convict but always tolerant and correct. Thereby it covers a multitude of sins. It’s not much easy for a person to show hospitability to the stranger in their house as there are wide differences amongst. But a believer is supposed to be broad-minded, consider each other’s interest with love and show hospitability without any grumbling.

All the believers in God who had come into the knowledge of Jesus Christ by repentance, submission, and God’s grace have received the Spirit of God in them. The Spirit of God had given gifts to the believers not just for entertaining the self but also for a common good. So, Peter stresses the elect to use the gifts to serve one another as he knew that God had given to each of them according to His will and purpose, as well as the believers had received the gift. All the believers are saved by God’s grace which is much varying from person to person as there are people forgiven more and there are people forgiven less, though God is unchanging and his grace is tremendous. So, believers are ought to be good stewards in utilizing the gifts for building the kingdom of God. There are many gifts and each has equal weightage in the sight of God. Peter mentions a few of the gifts of God such as speaking the oracles of God, Serving by the strength of God. Peter says that through the gifts, God may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom glory and dominion belong forever and ever. For everything was created through Him and for Him. Peter concludes his teachings strongly about being stewards of God’s grace, with Amen.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection

1.      What is at hand as Peter says? How believers are ought to be because of that?

2.      What are the highest priorities for the believer?

3.      How do you think that love covers a multitude of sins?

4.      How we can show hospitability to one another without grumbling?

5.      Do you think all believers have received spiritual gifts? Why?

6.      How Spiritual gifts are obliged to be used?

7.      What do you mean by ‘Good stewards of God’s varied grace’?

8.      What are the spiritual gifts mentioned by Peter?

9.      In every spiritual gift, what will happen? Why?

10.  Do you think believers ought to have any specific spiritual gift? Why?

11.  What is/are the Spiritual gift(s) you personally have? Why do you think it’s a spiritual gift(s) to you?