So, I'm going to read a bit of a longer section from 1 Peter 4, because it's both a single topic and very helpful.
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 as 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.
Well, at the epicenter of this gospel worldview, that we have been considering, is the reality that this moment that we're in is not all there is. This is not our final destination. If this present world is our final destination, then the gospel is a delusion, and our faith is in vain. There must be a final, ultimate defeat of sin; there must be the creation of a new heaven and a new earth, or all of this just has been a massive waste of religiosity.
So, that's where Peter begins. He says, "The end of all things is at hand." What he means is this is the final epic of God's narrative. We're in the final chapter of God's narrative of redemption. And so, his counsel to us is to live with that destination in view, live with eternity in view. Live knowing that this is not all there is; life is not about great big houses, and lots of money, and all those things you could live for as if the pleasure of this moment is all I have, so I want to get as much pleasure as I can get. There was a beer ad that used to say, "You only go around once, so do it with all the gusto you can do," what a horrible ad!
So, what does that look like, this living with eternity in view? Well, Peter says, first of all, it means being self-controlled-you don't give way to that pleasure-mindedness that says, "This moment's happiness is all that there's worth living for." Be "sober-minded," think seriously. Man, if the Bible teaches us anything, it is to take life seriously. And then he says, "Above all this (I love this.) be determined to live a life of love. Give yourself to love, love one another." It's not enough for him to say that; he says "earnestly," work at it, be committed to it, make sacrifices for it, that's earnestness. What does that mean? It means be hospitable. And then again, Peter is a good pastor; he adds a prefix "and don't grumble." Be hospitable, do it with joy.
And then he says, "use your gifts as an instrument of God's grace" Whether that's speaking or serving, do it for the purpose of being used as an oracle, an instrument, a tool of God. And then he finally says, "All this is for God's eternal glory in Christ." Self-controlled, sober-minded, earnest love, hospitality, gifts surrendered to God's purpose is Christological living-it's Christ-centered living. It's living in order that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. I live my life with Christ in view. Living for eternity means I live right now with Christ in view!
