The End

In my personal devotions, I am currently approaching the end of the Book of the Revelation (of Jesus the Christ.). However, that book is, by no means, the only Biblical book that refers to the end of all that we know and experience in this life. Peter, for example, writes: “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first began at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (I Peter 4:17).

As Peter wrote his first epistle, foremost in his mind was a desire to encourage the believers to stand firm in the face of suffering and trial. On four occasions he used the term “the end,” focusing his readers’ attention on the final resolution of all things. A study of these occurrences gives us a glimpse of the tenor of the entire book.

 

The first use followed an explanation of the nature and benefits of the various trials in a believer’s life. The result would be a pure, effective faith now, as well as “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1:9; AV), the final ultimate deliverance of our whole person. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls.

 

Meanwhile, “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:13; AV). Our minds should be completely (“to the end”) ready for action, sober and expectant, focused on the ultimate resolution of all trials.

 

This ultimate resolution could come at any time: “The end of all things is at hand” (4:7). Our responses should be to “therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers.” To be sober is to be of sound judgement, making careful decisions, not based on emotion; especially watchful as we pray, with eternity in mind.

 

The last occurrence of “the end.” in Peter's letter is the one referred to at the beginning of this post. The time of final judgment on both Christian and non-Christian looms nearer and nearer. But God’s cleansing of His people has already begun, and it at times is not pleasant, although beneficial. His judgement on those outside “the house of God” will be much more severe, with no opportunity for reconciliation. This warning should motivate who know the Lord, in our ministry to the unsaved. It should also speak to any who do not have a personal, saving relationship with Him, to carefully consider their ways. There is yet time to come to the Saviour - but that time is becoming increasingly short!

Seven Outgrowths of Faith

Writing to the Church at large, the apostle Peter states: "For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."  (II Peter 1:5-7)

Having “escape[d] from the corruption that is in the world ” (v. 4) through our “faith” in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we must now grow spiritually, conforming our nature and practice to His. We must put to use the divine nature we now possess, recognising that He has provided all the resources we need.

In this passage, Peter assumes we already have “faith,” thus here our spiritual lives must begin. He instructs us to “supplement” that faith with seven character traits: virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness  (perseverance), godliness, brotherly affection, and [agape] love.

 

There is, both in the text ( “supplement”), and in practice, a progression here. As new disciples of Jesus, we should strive for virtue, eliminating sinful actions and thoughts from our lives, as the Holy Spirit brings conviction. A commitment to growth in knowledge, first the basics of the faith and then deeper doctrines, enables us to exercise wisdom in life’s choices (and my own books, especially "Foundations of the Faith", may be found to be helpful in this matter!). A self-controlled, disciplined lifestyle exercises perseverance, even strength in the face of adversity, which in turn produces godliness - an attitude of reverence toward God that strives to please Him by developing His attitudes and priorities. Our relations with others will thus be marked by brotherly kindness toward believers and agape love (self-sacrificing, undeserved love) for all.

 

Such spiritual growth does not come without effort. He has provided all we need, but we must “make every effort” in the process, and not simply allow the Holy Spirit to reside in our hearts to work on our character and habits. Any lack of spiritual growth is our fault, not His. May all who read these words be found " grow[ing] up in every way into Him Who is the Head, into Christ," (Eph.4:15-16), to Hos glory.