Coming of Christ: Christ’s coming is imminent (“near”). God will soon bring all things to their culmination (“end”).[1] What shall we be busy about in light of Jesus’ return? Peter directs our attention not to a panicked frenzy but to a faithful Christian life that glorifies God “in all things” with godly priorities.
Godly Priorities: Peter points out four priorities of the Christian life: pray, love, share, and serve. Peter begins with prayer, for the obvious reason that we can do nothing apart from God’s help and Spirit (Luke 11:13). Prayer is not the last resort but the first resource.[2] Prayer is a spiritual exercise,[3] hence, Peter frame his call for prayer in terms of spiritual alertness (be sane and sober). Second, we are to show toward the church of God (“for one another”) a fervent love, one that can generously forgive (“cover a multitude of sins”). In the church community offenses are inevitable. We confront sin when we must,[4] but we must also cover. We also stretch ourselves beyond our own friends and family, beyond our comfort zone, in that we share what we have (even our homes) with those who are different from us.[5] Finally, we serve one another for spiritual edification,[6] employing all that God has given us (skills, abilities, resources, time, knowledge, wisdom, etc.). This is the duty of every member. May Christ find us busy about His work when He returns.
[1] The imminent return of Christ is the Christian’s eager hope: Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 1:7; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 1:10; 4:16; 2 Thess. 1:7; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 9:28; 1 Pet. 1:5, 13; 2 Pet. 3:15; 1 John 3:2-3; Rev. 1:7; 22:20.
[2] Jesus Himself said that we are to be found praying when He returns (Luke 18:1-8).
[3] We are to pray in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18; Jude 20). In prayer, we seek the honor of God’s name, His kingdom, and His will (Matt. 6:9-10), and we express our humble dependence on Him for all things (Matt. 6:11-13).
[4] Cf. Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-2; Gal. 2:11; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; 1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Tit. 3:10-11.
[5] “Hospitable [phi-lo-xe-nos (φιλόξενος)]” literally means loving strangers (phi-los [φιλός] + xe-nos [ξενος]).
[6] The purpose of these gifts is the edification/building up of His people (1 Cor. 12:7; Eph. 4:12-13).