Occupy Till I Come

I Peter 4:6-11

I am frequently impressed with the very practical and logical way scripture teaches, showing us what the problem is, presenting the solution, and then showing how to implement it. This passage is no exception.

Hebrews 9:27 makes it clear that every man dies, and will be judged. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Romans 2:3-6 makes it clear that no one will escape that judgment, and that their actions will determine the outcome. “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:” Continued sin just accumulates more deserved judgment.

Those who died before Christ came could not be saved until he had died for them. I Peter 3:19-20 Describes Jesus reaching out to those who had died. “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” Because they couldn’t be saved until he came, Christ went and preached to them.

“For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” (I Peter 4:6)

By believing in him they could have the same spiritual life as those who came after them. God’s plan for salvation was no different for those who died before the crucifixion than for us who came later. The entire plan is in place now, and all that remains is the end, when everything is judged and rewards and punishment distributed. Until that end comes, there are some things all Christians need to do, because it is coming.

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” (I Peter 4:7-9)

In Luke 19:11-27, Jesus told a story of a man going to receive a kingdom, and leaving his servants to care for things while he was gone. He specifically told the story because some thought the return was so close they didn’t need to do anything. He gave each one responsibilities and command them to do them until he came as Luke 19:13 describes. “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Peter reminds us of what we are supposed to be doing until Christ comes.

Because we know the end is coming and the Lord is returning, we need to be sober or serious minded, not just goofing off or having a good time. We need to devote time to prayer or talking with God, not just perfunctory prayers, but as I Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” Most important of all we are to love our Christian brothers. John 13:34-35 says our love is the evidence of our Christianity. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” I John 4:20 drives it home emphatically. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” Sharing what we have with those we love should be free and not produce resentment.

"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (I Peter 4:10-11)

Special talents and callings should be used for the benefit of the church, as caretakers of God’s property and business. They are not to be used selfishly for personal gain or reputation. A speaker is to speak as God‘s spokesperson, accurately presenting what God has said and intended, whether popular or not. His own ideas and opinions must be clearly identified as such, and not as being God’s official position.

Efforts to meet emotional or physical needs are to be based on God’s power and working, rather than human effort, so that God receives the glory, rather than the man doing the actions. For example, building a church or ministry should not be based on human fund raising efforts such as book sales, Bingo games, or issuing bonds. Evangelism should not be a marketing effort, using the psychological techniques developed by skilled marketers, but the working of the Holy Spirit.