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Hospitality is a marvelous opportunity to recommend the life in Christ to others. If
they come into your home and find tranquility and open handedness without
ostentatiousness it will always be noted and remembered.
"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" (4: 10, 11).
Peter and his disciples were in that dispensation blessed with special gifts of the Spirit.
Some had prophecy, some tongues and some healing and it would seem all had
knowledge of the Word. They were to exercise these gifts to the full and at all times
were to acknowledge the Giver. Peter at the very threshold of his ministry, having
performed a miracle with the lame man, said to the crowd:
"Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look so earnestly on us, as though
by our own power or holiness, we had made this man to walk . . . . . His name (the Lord
Jesus) hath made this man strong" (Acts 3: 12-16).
No.9.
4: 11 - 5: 7.
pp. 156 - 160
In our own day the Holy Spirit illuminates the Word to us as we honour it in faith and
diligence of study. We are still called to exercise and acknowledge in living the truth
revealed to us. The channel of truth received and given out should always thrill our
hearts and lead us to voice often the eulogies of Peter and Paul, as Peter does here:
". . . . . that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, To Whom be praise and dominion
for ever and ever, Amen."
There have been many saints of God in the Bible story who in the face of severe
adversity have been bewildered at the turn of events. We think of Job, Jeremiah, John the
Baptist in prison, and here persecution already striking this new church. Peter knowing
that Satan was already busy going round as a roaring lion encouraged his followers to
endure, telling them that these trials were to be expected:
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though
some strange thing happened to you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's
sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding
joy" (4: 12, 13).
There will be no one who suffers on behalf of God or for the witness to His truth who
will not be overwhelmingly rewarded. God will be in no man's debt. "The Lord blessed
the latter end of Job more than his beginning" (Job 42: 12). Paul adds his contribution to
this theme: