Keep Stretching

Now is a good time to be alive.  We often take for granted how good we have it because this is all many of us know.  The modern conveniences and quality of life afforded to us today were unimaginable just 20-30 years ago.  Unfortunately, as we enjoy the privilege of privilege, many of us have adopted an entitlement mentality.  We treat privilege like a right.  If we are going to be more like Christ, we must lose our entitlement mentality and adopt the servant mindset.  I Peter 4:7-11 reminds us of the service that we as servants of God should render for God. 

In order to have a servant’s mindset you need a servant’s temperament (v. 7-9).  Peter understood that this world is only temporary and that life as we know it will come to an end for all people.  The end of all things is near, we are living in the last days, so be serious and watchful.  We should have some sense and some self-control.  Keep your mind clear, so that when life happens, your first response is to pray.  When you have a servant mindset, you trust the Master to handle life’s messes.

Our prayers are reinforced by our actions.  Love should be the activating force behind our actions.  Love should be fervent or constant.  The word literally means to stretch out.  It communicates the idea that one does not waiver in his display of love.  The word picture of stretching out means that I go beyond normal limits.  The fact that we are told to “keep fervent” in our love suggests that love can grow cold over time.  When you feel like turning off your love for people, keep stretching.  Love covers a multitude of sins.  Love makes allowances for our humanity, as long as that allowance is not damaging to the soul.  The love that covers and protects is the kind of love we should show for one another. 

We are to be hospitable without complaint.  It is sometimes inconvenient to be hospitable.  Serving others will cost you some time, money and may cause you to have to adjust your schedule.  But don’t get mad about being friendly.   Don’t complain because you showed care and concern.  Be hospitable.

​God saved you to serve.  Do something with the gift that God has given you.