Jehovah reigneth; He is clothed with majesty; Jehovah is clothed with strength; he hath girded himself therewith: The world also is established, that it cannot be moved. [1]
Serve one another
1 Peter 4:7-11 NRSV
The end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
Warren Wiersbe
[Peter] reminds them that Christ is coming soon and that, in the midst of suffering, saints have responsibilities to one another. Prayer is one of them; so is fervent love; the word “fervent” here means “stretched out.” Christian love never reaches a breaking point! It is bad enough when the world accuses the saints; the saints ought not to accuse one another. Love will help cover the sins of the saints. Love does not cleanse sin, but it does cover sin in that we do not go around talking about other people’s sins.[2]
Matthew Henry
The nature of a Christian’s work, which is high work and hard work, the goodness of the Master, and the excellence of the reward, all require that our endeavors should be serious and earnest. And in all the duties and services of life, we should aim at the glory of God as our chief end. He is a miserable, unsettled wretch, who cleaves to himself, and forgets God; is only perplexed about his credit, and gain, and base ends, which are often broken, and which, when he attains, both he and they must shortly perish together. But he who has given up himself and his all to God, may say confidently that the Lord is his portion; and nothing but glory through Christ Jesus, is solid and lasting; that abideth forever.[3]
The Westminster Shorter Catechism[4]
Question #85
What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin?
To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.
Question #88
What are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
Question #98
What is prayer?
Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.[5]
Go forth and tell! The doors are open wide;
Share God’s good gifts, let no one be denied;
Live out your life as Christ your Lord shall choose,
Your ransomed powers for his sole glory use.[6]
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] American Standard Version (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995), Ps 93:1.
[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 751.
[3] Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), 1 Pe 4:7.
[4] G. I. Williamson, The Westminster Shorter Catechism for Study Classes, 2003, P&R Publishing.
[5] Collect for the Sunday after Ascension Day, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 613.
[6] James E. Seddon, 1960.
