1 Peter 4:7-11 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. NKJV

This time of year many people associate Christmas with the coming of the Lord as a baby. The Scripture seems to suggest that the Lord’s birth was during the Spring or Summer of the year (Luke 2 – the shepherds were in the fields watching over the sheep at night), and we read no where in the New Testament wherein the first century church attached any significance to Jesus’ birthday. We do read that the emphasis of the first century church is on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Inherent in the memorial feast that we partake of each Sunday is also the idea that the Lord is coming again!

We rejoice in the Lord’s birth, because it was in the Incarnation that God was working out his plan of salvation for man. We are saved by his atoning death on the cross. We can’t help but rejoice because we have forgiveness of sins, and fellowship has been restored with God – our sins have been washed away and forgiven.

As we enter this time of year, let us think about His coming again.

Peter emphasized that the end of all things is at hand. In all probability he is talking about the end of the Jewish system, as the Lord did not come in Peter’s day in judgment on the world. But the lessons he left for those Christians who suffered for Christ in the first century are still applicable for us today.

In light of the Second Coming, we need to pray! We need to be serious about our Christianity and watch at all times, for we do not know when the Lord is coming again. What would happen if every Christian would watch for the Lord’s coming, aware of the fact that He can come again at any moment in time? What if we watched unto prayer – maintaining our communication with God until He comes to receive us unto Himself – wouldn’t it be great to talk with Him in prayer, and then talk with Him face to face? Prayer is about maintaining a relationship with God. Do we as God’s people pray?

In light of the Second coming, we need to love one another. There are two reasons Peter says that we are to love others. The first reason is that “love will cover a multitude of sins.” When we love as He has loved us, then we will forgive and not allow sins to ruin our relationships with others, for how we treat our brothers will affect our relationship to God. Secondly, our love for others will affect our hospitality toward them. In the first century the Christians would be homeless for the cause of Christ, and it was necessary for others Christians to open their homes and hearts to these who had given up so much. Love would allow them to do that without grumbling.

Finally, in light of the Second Coming, we must minister. We must use the gifts that God has given us, and use them for His glory. He will hold us accountable for the way we have used our gifts! It is imperative that we understand that we must glorify God by the things we do for others and for Him. If the Lord were to come in my lifetime, I want to be found by Him doing what He would have me to do, honoring and glorifying Him.

The Lord will return one day! Are we ready?