Many of us wish we had more time. Most of us could make better use of our time. But there is one thing we all have in common: we are each given exactly 24 hours every day—no more, no less. Your time may be spent in diligent labor, harmless hobbies, or foolish habits, but how would priorities change if you knew you only had a few days left? 1 Peter 4 challenges us to live with that sense of urgency—so the rest of our lives might count for eternity. This involves a daily commitment to please God and be done with sin. Jesus is our example. He chose physical suffering rather than spiritual compromise. Are we willing to make the same choice? If we ever have to pay a price for doing what is right, this will become a defining moment in our Christian lives, showing that obedience to God is more important to us than avoiding pain. The time for making this commitment is right now! Why waste another day? Any amount of past sinning is enough. Make the break from your old way of life, doing God’s will instead. Suffer for it, if you must. Let them think you are strange for not joining them. Death is coming. The gospel was not preached in vain to believers who are now with the Lord. Today they are very much alive “in the spirit,” enjoying the very presence of God. So no more sin! (v 1-6). And much more zeal! Living with a sense of urgency is not simply about what you shouldn’t be doing, but what you should be doing. As the clock continues to tick, God has work for you to do. And what is it? Pray more, love more, and serve more. Since Christ’s return is imminent, we must be disciplined and fervent in our prayers, which will maximize our usefulness to the Lord. We must avoid useless conflicts and arguments, which drain so much energy. Better to overlook minor offenses, refuse to hold grudges, and open our homes to one another in love. And we must use whatever gifts and abilities we have to serve others in the church. When you speak, choose your words carefully, that God may use you as His mouthpiece. And when you serve, do everything in dependence on Christ, that He may be glorified in you (v 7-11). With hearts set on heaven, we don’t expect to escape suffering on earth, but we do find reasons to rejoice in the midst of it. Most of us wouldn’t naturally regard persecution as a privilege, but it is an honor to be treated like Jesus, and those who share in His suffering will also share in His glory. Peter stresses that God uses suffering to purify His people, and the pathway to glory is not supposed to be easy. So with confidence that God rules over everything that happens to us, we entrust our lives to Him, continuing to do good (v 12-19). For further meditation: