Living as Stewarding Exiles
Text: 1 Pet. 4
Introduction
Let’s begin today by discussing the grace of God, a word that appears over 200 times in the Bible. Grace is a fundamental aspect of God’s character, deeply connected to His benevolence, love, and mercy. It can be defined as “God’s favor toward the unworthy” or “God’s kindness to the undeserving.” God forgives and blesses us abundantly through His grace, even though we do not deserve such generosity. By grace, we have received the gift of salvation, allowing us to place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His finished work. By grace, we have been made God’s workmanship, created for good works that are only possible because we are in Christ.
As God’s people, we are recipients of this incredible grace, which also means we are called to steward the gifts He has entrusted us. Saints, God has called us to faithfully steward His gifts of grace in a way that honors and pleases Him.
Presuming Upon God’s Grace
The opposite of stewarding God’s grace is presuming upon it—disobeying God while assuming His grace will cover it without consequence. This mindset treats grace as a license to live unchanged, mirroring the unbelieving world without concern. But that is not how grace works. True grace transforms us, calling us to live in obedience. Peter directly addresses these behaviors in the fourth chapter:
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does” (1 Pet. 4:1-6).
Why would Peter be concerned that God’s people no longer live according to human passions? The answer is clear: many continue to live in the flesh, with little to no tangible difference between their actions and those of unbelievers. They may discuss deep theological truths and quote Scripture, yet their lives remain unchanged. Most notably, they lack an attitude of grace.
Paul also confronted this presumption upon God’s grace in two of his letters. The first was his letter to the Romans:
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:1-2).
For those who may not understand this language, let me put it plainly: Can we continue to sin just to receive more grace? Absolutely not! No way! God forbid it! That is not Christianity, and it is certainly not a life filled with grace!
In the book of Hebrews Paul addresses this as well, “26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries” (Heb. 10:26-27). If we deliberately continue to sin even after receiving the knowledge of the truth, we must come to grips with the sobering reality that there is no sacrifice left for our sins.
Our brothers who serve as missionaries to the preborn regularly encounter people who presume upon God’s grace, even in matters as grave as ending the life of their unborn child. We live in a region where many have some familiarity with the Bible. These individuals profess to be Christians while at the same time justifying their decision to kill their babies. They tell our missionaries, “I’m going to do this, and God will forgive me.” But that is not how grace works. That is not what we do with God’s grace.
We don’t tell a lie and justify it by thinking, “It’s okay; God will forgive me.” That is presuming upon His grace, not stewarding it. God has not called us to treat His grace as a license to sin.
The fruit of easy believism has infiltrated our culture and society. As a result, many professing Christians treat God’s grace as something to be trifled with. They believe they can chase after the passions of the flesh and then simply ask for forgiveness as if they are playing a game—holding onto grace like a get-out-of-hell-free card. But true grace transforms; it does not enable us to remain unchanged.
Stewarding God’s Grace
Before we apply these teachings, let me remind you of the context. The church was facing persecution, and Rome ruled over the people. Additionally, Peter warned them about Jerusalem's coming destruction in A.D. 70 when he said, “The end of all things is at hand.” He was referring to Jerusalem's fall, the Temple's destruction, and the end of the Old Covenant era.
So, how should one prepare for this? How should an exile live in light of such imminent judgment?
“7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:7-11).
John Piper broke it down this way:
Wait, what? This is the strategy? The end of all things is at hand, and the response is to think clearly, maintain a faithful prayer life, love one another fervently, show hospitality cheerfully, and exercise our spiritual gifts within the body? Yes—because our duty is obedience.
If these were the instructions for believers facing the impending judgment of Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70, then surely these principles still apply to us today. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Sobriety for Prayer
The first strategy for not being absorbed into this age—especially since the end of this age began with the coming of the Messiah—is to be sober-minded, staying in touch with our true King in our heavenly homeland. This same principle is later tied to resisting Satan’s temptations.
The words here literally mean “be in your right mind” and “be sober.” Something about this present world clouds our thinking and intoxicates our hearts. One thing is clear about drunkards: they are disconnected from reality. That’s what happens when we drink in the world—it dulls our spiritual senses and pulls us away from the truth.
Only one thing will make you a person of prayer—someone truly connected with reality: sobering up from the addictive, inebriating power of worldliness. If your heart is drunk on the pleasures of this world, you will have no appetite for heaven and no desire for prayer.
In Alcoholics Anonymous, members stand up and declare, “I am an alcoholic.” Maybe we need people to stand up and say, “I am a worldaholic.” We need to admit that we’ve been drinking in the words, values, and distractions of this world to the point of intoxication.
So, what is your strategy? Everyone needs a plan to get sober from worldliness. If you don’t have one, be sure—the day will swallow you up.
Fervency of Love
Verse 8 highlights our deep need for love. Peter writes, "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."
We are called to love one another with a unique, unwavering love.
As exiles, we are not perfect. The pressures of living in a foreign land can cause us to say and do things we later regret—things that wound and even threaten to destroy the precious relationships we desperately need. These offenses must be covered and forgiven to survive together as aliens in a hostile world.
So Peter calls us to love each other in a way that allows love to cover the offenses that could otherwise fracture our unity.
Yes, we are to love our enemies and all people. Yes, we are to love our fellow exiles in Christ. But here in verse 8, Peter calls for something even more profound: “Keep fervent in your love for one another.” This is an extraordinary degree of love—fervent, earnest, intense, and ardent. It is a dutiful commitment to love those we struggle with and heartfelt affection for those we have come to trust and cherish.
Opening Your Home Cheerfully
The strategy in verse 9 is simple: “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” This is a simple and practical command.
In other words, exiles in a foreign land need to open their homes to each other. Isn’t it remarkable that in a book as deep and spiritual as 1 Peter, we find such a straightforward and practical command: open your homes to each other and don’t grumble about the hassle.
The more alienated we feel in this world, the more crucial this command becomes. Surviving the alienation from others becomes much more challenging without the fellowship we experience in a fellow believer's home.
If you’re wondering why Peter emphasizes showing hospitality without grumbling, you may need to open your home more often. I remember a time after hosting a large group of people when our kids pointed out a weird smell in the basement. Upon investigation, we found that a child had left a trail of poop all over the basement. It was hard not to grumble. We’ve had toys destroyed, things broken, and many other little mishaps in the name of hospitality. But as I often say, “More animals in the barn, more dodo to clean up.” Now, I can say, “More kids in the basement, more poop to clean up.”
I pray that people will start inviting others into their homes, and those invitations will become so common that people have to tell others they can’t come because someone else has already asked them.
Using Your Gift for the Good of Others
Finally, the strategy in verse 10 for maintaining your alien identity is using your gifts to minister God’s grace to others. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
The major work of ministry at Ekklesia, the primary work of ministry, is not done by the elders—and it shouldn’t be. The people do it. This text tells us that “each one”—yes, each one—has received a gift, and the purpose of that gift is simple: it is meant for service or ministry. That means you are to be an agent, conduit, or channel of God’s grace to others.
I used to think there was one special, unique gift you needed to find from Paul’s list, but I’ve changed my perspective. By the way, change is a good thing. I recently read a quote: “Anyone who isn’t embarrassed of who they were last year probably isn’t learning enough.” I think this idea of a “special” gift is too mystical and not consistent with the objectivity of Scripture. These lists are there to guide us, but the goal is simply to discover your gifts and use them for the benefit of the body.
So, how do you discover your gifts? How does a carpenter learn to use a hammer? By swinging it. Spend time with people, and pay attention to what brings you joy and blesses others. Not spending time with people won’t help! Invest time in others. Why not go all in and commit to investing in just two people over the next few years?
Here they are—four strategies to keep your alien identity intact:
Introduction
Let’s begin today by discussing the grace of God, a word that appears over 200 times in the Bible. Grace is a fundamental aspect of God’s character, deeply connected to His benevolence, love, and mercy. It can be defined as “God’s favor toward the unworthy” or “God’s kindness to the undeserving.” God forgives and blesses us abundantly through His grace, even though we do not deserve such generosity. By grace, we have received the gift of salvation, allowing us to place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His finished work. By grace, we have been made God’s workmanship, created for good works that are only possible because we are in Christ.
As God’s people, we are recipients of this incredible grace, which also means we are called to steward the gifts He has entrusted us. Saints, God has called us to faithfully steward His gifts of grace in a way that honors and pleases Him.
Presuming Upon God’s Grace
The opposite of stewarding God’s grace is presuming upon it—disobeying God while assuming His grace will cover it without consequence. This mindset treats grace as a license to live unchanged, mirroring the unbelieving world without concern. But that is not how grace works. True grace transforms us, calling us to live in obedience. Peter directly addresses these behaviors in the fourth chapter:
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does” (1 Pet. 4:1-6).
Why would Peter be concerned that God’s people no longer live according to human passions? The answer is clear: many continue to live in the flesh, with little to no tangible difference between their actions and those of unbelievers. They may discuss deep theological truths and quote Scripture, yet their lives remain unchanged. Most notably, they lack an attitude of grace.
Paul also confronted this presumption upon God’s grace in two of his letters. The first was his letter to the Romans:
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:1-2).
For those who may not understand this language, let me put it plainly: Can we continue to sin just to receive more grace? Absolutely not! No way! God forbid it! That is not Christianity, and it is certainly not a life filled with grace!
In the book of Hebrews Paul addresses this as well, “26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries” (Heb. 10:26-27). If we deliberately continue to sin even after receiving the knowledge of the truth, we must come to grips with the sobering reality that there is no sacrifice left for our sins.
Our brothers who serve as missionaries to the preborn regularly encounter people who presume upon God’s grace, even in matters as grave as ending the life of their unborn child. We live in a region where many have some familiarity with the Bible. These individuals profess to be Christians while at the same time justifying their decision to kill their babies. They tell our missionaries, “I’m going to do this, and God will forgive me.” But that is not how grace works. That is not what we do with God’s grace.
We don’t tell a lie and justify it by thinking, “It’s okay; God will forgive me.” That is presuming upon His grace, not stewarding it. God has not called us to treat His grace as a license to sin.
The fruit of easy believism has infiltrated our culture and society. As a result, many professing Christians treat God’s grace as something to be trifled with. They believe they can chase after the passions of the flesh and then simply ask for forgiveness as if they are playing a game—holding onto grace like a get-out-of-hell-free card. But true grace transforms; it does not enable us to remain unchanged.
Stewarding God’s Grace
Before we apply these teachings, let me remind you of the context. The church was facing persecution, and Rome ruled over the people. Additionally, Peter warned them about Jerusalem's coming destruction in A.D. 70 when he said, “The end of all things is at hand.” He was referring to Jerusalem's fall, the Temple's destruction, and the end of the Old Covenant era.
So, how should one prepare for this? How should an exile live in light of such imminent judgment?
“7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:7-11).
John Piper broke it down this way:
- sobriety for prayer;
- fervency of love;
- opening your home cheerfully;
- Using your gifts for the good of others and letting the grace of God flow through your gift to others.
Wait, what? This is the strategy? The end of all things is at hand, and the response is to think clearly, maintain a faithful prayer life, love one another fervently, show hospitality cheerfully, and exercise our spiritual gifts within the body? Yes—because our duty is obedience.
If these were the instructions for believers facing the impending judgment of Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70, then surely these principles still apply to us today. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Sobriety for Prayer
The first strategy for not being absorbed into this age—especially since the end of this age began with the coming of the Messiah—is to be sober-minded, staying in touch with our true King in our heavenly homeland. This same principle is later tied to resisting Satan’s temptations.
The words here literally mean “be in your right mind” and “be sober.” Something about this present world clouds our thinking and intoxicates our hearts. One thing is clear about drunkards: they are disconnected from reality. That’s what happens when we drink in the world—it dulls our spiritual senses and pulls us away from the truth.
Only one thing will make you a person of prayer—someone truly connected with reality: sobering up from the addictive, inebriating power of worldliness. If your heart is drunk on the pleasures of this world, you will have no appetite for heaven and no desire for prayer.
In Alcoholics Anonymous, members stand up and declare, “I am an alcoholic.” Maybe we need people to stand up and say, “I am a worldaholic.” We need to admit that we’ve been drinking in the words, values, and distractions of this world to the point of intoxication.
So, what is your strategy? Everyone needs a plan to get sober from worldliness. If you don’t have one, be sure—the day will swallow you up.
Fervency of Love
Verse 8 highlights our deep need for love. Peter writes, "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."
We are called to love one another with a unique, unwavering love.
As exiles, we are not perfect. The pressures of living in a foreign land can cause us to say and do things we later regret—things that wound and even threaten to destroy the precious relationships we desperately need. These offenses must be covered and forgiven to survive together as aliens in a hostile world.
So Peter calls us to love each other in a way that allows love to cover the offenses that could otherwise fracture our unity.
Yes, we are to love our enemies and all people. Yes, we are to love our fellow exiles in Christ. But here in verse 8, Peter calls for something even more profound: “Keep fervent in your love for one another.” This is an extraordinary degree of love—fervent, earnest, intense, and ardent. It is a dutiful commitment to love those we struggle with and heartfelt affection for those we have come to trust and cherish.
Opening Your Home Cheerfully
The strategy in verse 9 is simple: “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” This is a simple and practical command.
In other words, exiles in a foreign land need to open their homes to each other. Isn’t it remarkable that in a book as deep and spiritual as 1 Peter, we find such a straightforward and practical command: open your homes to each other and don’t grumble about the hassle.
The more alienated we feel in this world, the more crucial this command becomes. Surviving the alienation from others becomes much more challenging without the fellowship we experience in a fellow believer's home.
If you’re wondering why Peter emphasizes showing hospitality without grumbling, you may need to open your home more often. I remember a time after hosting a large group of people when our kids pointed out a weird smell in the basement. Upon investigation, we found that a child had left a trail of poop all over the basement. It was hard not to grumble. We’ve had toys destroyed, things broken, and many other little mishaps in the name of hospitality. But as I often say, “More animals in the barn, more dodo to clean up.” Now, I can say, “More kids in the basement, more poop to clean up.”
I pray that people will start inviting others into their homes, and those invitations will become so common that people have to tell others they can’t come because someone else has already asked them.
Using Your Gift for the Good of Others
Finally, the strategy in verse 10 for maintaining your alien identity is using your gifts to minister God’s grace to others. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
The major work of ministry at Ekklesia, the primary work of ministry, is not done by the elders—and it shouldn’t be. The people do it. This text tells us that “each one”—yes, each one—has received a gift, and the purpose of that gift is simple: it is meant for service or ministry. That means you are to be an agent, conduit, or channel of God’s grace to others.
I used to think there was one special, unique gift you needed to find from Paul’s list, but I’ve changed my perspective. By the way, change is a good thing. I recently read a quote: “Anyone who isn’t embarrassed of who they were last year probably isn’t learning enough.” I think this idea of a “special” gift is too mystical and not consistent with the objectivity of Scripture. These lists are there to guide us, but the goal is simply to discover your gifts and use them for the benefit of the body.
So, how do you discover your gifts? How does a carpenter learn to use a hammer? By swinging it. Spend time with people, and pay attention to what brings you joy and blesses others. Not spending time with people won’t help! Invest time in others. Why not go all in and commit to investing in just two people over the next few years?
Here they are—four strategies to keep your alien identity intact:
- Sobriety for prayer
- Fervency of love
- Opening your home cheerfully
- Letting the grace of God flow through your gifts to others
Recent
Archive
2025
2023
No Comments