BE YE SOBER AND WATCHFUL

The apostle Peter writing to the Christians in the early Church, urges them to be *SOBER and WATCHFUL in PRAYER.*
– “7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” – 1 Peter 4:7

The urgency in the words of Peter is quite obvious. He wants his readers, the newly transformed Christians of the early Church, to grasp the truth of the Christian life. There are two very significant things, that Peter is urging his readers, around mid 60 AD, to learn.
1- “THE END of ALL THINGS is AT HAND”
2- “BE SERIOUS and WATCHFUL IN YOUR PRAYERS”

1- “THE END of ALL THINGS is AT HAND”
As Christians and disciples of the LORD Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we ought to know that…
– one day, we all will “end” our lives, here in earth. We all will have to die some day. For life on earth is not going to last forever.
– The earth, and all that is on it, will come to an end, one day. Then the LORD will usher in, the new earth, and the new heavens.
– Our personal end, and the end of the creation, will bring us to the judgement seat of God. Everything we have ever done, would be brought to light; and we will have to give an account for the same.

2- “BE SERIOUS and WATCHFUL IN YOUR PRAYERS”
Peter, talking about the end of all things, 
– wants us to do something. He is desiring to help us grasp the seriousness of the matter at hand.
– wants to instil in us, an urgency in our attitude, and our approach, towards all things, pertaining to our lives.
– Hence he says, “THEREFORE, BE SERIOUS and WATCHFUL IN YOUR PRAYERS.”

How is our attitude and approach towards all things pertaining to our life? Are we aware that the “THE END of ALL THINGS is AT HAND?” Do we take the prompting of Peter seriously – “BE SERIOUS and WATCHFUL IN YOUR PRAYERS?” Do we pray with “seriousness” and “watchfulness” as the apostle Peter is urging us?
– “11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” – Romans 13:11-14
Even so, the LORD help us.