Wayne Gretzky once said Skate to where the puck is going not where it is. This famous saying nicely sums up the skill of anticipation. Anticipate is related to hope and we are all anticipating something in the future. For Peter's readers they needed something positive to anticipate because of their possible suffering. In America we are seldom motivated by the end of all things because we have no concept of God judging our lives. I have met many people who can accept a God who created them but not a God who will judge them at the end of their lives. Peter is encouraging his readers that in light of the end or the 2nd coming, that they should have the following mindsets.
1.Prayerful Dependence (v.7)
2.Lavishing Love (v. 8)
3.Joyful Hospitality (v.9)
4.Ministering gifts (v. 10-11)
Prayerful Dependence - Peter is encouraging his readers to become more and more dependent on God and not on this world or comfort in this world. He encourages his readers to be self-controlled and sober in that they should not be mentally intoxicated or addicted to this world's way of thinking but be alert and on guard in order to avoid carelessness.
Lavish Love Here peter is commanding them to be one who is constantly loving, and to avoid their love growing cold at the end of the age. Love should be pursued because it covers a multitude of sins. This doesn't mean that one can be saved or that love atones for one own sins, but that love overlooks the offenses of others.
Joyful Hospitality At the end of time, hospitality will become more and more important as we because a more biblical community. In order to disciple others one must meet regularly with others. Grumbling is a deterrent to hospitality and in the development of Biblical Community. This encourages Peters readers to not grow tired of service, but to continue to rekindle their joy in hospitality, not caving into the temptation to begrudge their charity to others.
Ministering Gifts Finally Peter encourage his reader to continue using their Spiritual gifts in service of others. Believer cannot boast about the gift they have, for otherwise they contradict it gracious character, thinking that somehow they merit it bestowal. Every believer has at least one spiritual gifts. If I eve start to try to focus upon me benefiting from the use of spiritual gifts (including a popular version of tongues), I have moved into an area of gross imbalance. We must serve others in ministry with these gifts only because our strength is from God and not ourselves.
So in light of the second coming of Christ, you as a believer should have these mindsets. Anticipate, anticipate, and anticipate the second coming of Christ and trust in God's provisions to get you through.
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