1 Peter 4

"The end of all things is at hand;

therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies

in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

~1 Peter 4:7-11

I just wanted to share how much this chapter in First Peter (this passage inparticular) has really encouraged me and caused me to examine my actions and the way I live on a day to day basis.

This is another one of those passages where I read it as if for the first time. When I was eleven or twelve I had read through the entire Bible but I really don't remember reading this chapter :)

Each time I read it I find "something there that wasn't there before".

For instance, it is so sweet when Peter gives instruction on how we ought to live:

"Loving one another earnestly"

Websters 1828 defines Earnestly as: "Warmly, zealously, eagerly, with real desire";

Peter goes on to tell us why, "since love covers a multitude of sins".

Then again, I read on to,

"As each has a gift, use it to serve one another as stewarts of God's varied grace:

whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God;

whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies

in order that

in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

These words have been so sweet and welcome to my ears; because there are times where I feel weary and lonesome.

But things are difficult when you do them for the wrong reasons and in the wrong way. That is when I must step back and examine my motives, putting them against scripture and ask,

Am I doing this for me?

Is is for my own glory that I love and serve others?

Do I go above and beyond people's expectations for myself?

Or am I doing these things for His glory and praise? Which really ought to be my ultimate goal.

Like I said, this chapter has been so sweet and encouraging for me, and I hope that you will take time to read it (as a matter of fact, read the whole book it'll do you good).