Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
The Context:
Peter, the one who started out as a reed, easily blown about with the wind, and ending as the rock, wrote today's extract to God's elect, who were scattered all over the province of Asia. These elect had found God, but then had also found trials and tribulations; they had found the way to please God and displease the world, and the world was going to fight back. You don't take something away from the world and expect it to just surrender and be fine with it. The reason why a child of God must be prepared for tough times is because God must use these to build up character and bring me into the fulfilment of His purpose for me.
So, Paul encourages me to embrace the pain, as it is a sign that I am on the right path. The fact that I do not join in wickedness is proof that I now answer to different standards. It is a pathway to growth; God is glorified when His child makes him known. And this is a journey that does not end down here on this version of earth, but with God. While I wait for this manifestation, I must watch my life and ensure it aligns with all that God intends.
The Message:
And the verse just before today's extract lays the groundwork for what and where God wants me to do and be: "The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray." The end of all that we see now is near. It will not always be like this. The world's system may be in the hands of the devil, but God is in charge of all of life. He has done all He can do is make it possible for me to approach His throne of grace, but He will not force Himself on me. It is a decision I have to make of my own freewill. The end time calls for specific behaviour and mentality: be sober, pray. It takes a heart that is focused on God to be able to pray. It takes a heart free from worry to be able to pray. I take stock again now: how's my heart? Is God in charge in there, or is the flesh competing for space and attention with God?
And it is a heart described above that can live out today's extract. When you have surrendered all to God, his nature is birthed in you. When the vertical connection with God is secure, the horizontal connection with other men is also secure. You can't have a good relationship with people, at least the type God wants, without having a good relationship with Him first. And his nature is love. The world has its definitions, but it is not the expert in what love is; God is. Above all else that I may have, I am asked to put on love. In addition to embracing the pain, I must love. I can't allow what I'm going through to distract me from what I'm required to do. It's love that makes me accept another person, as I'm reminded that I was also accepted, with all my baggage, by God. It's love that makes me overlook faults, as I also remember all that I have been forgiven.
The Response:
He who is forgiven little loves little and he who is forgiven much, loves much. The extent to which I am willing to go is a function of my understanding of what I have also received from God. If God could forgive sin, even as bad as murder, is that not the kind of love that should move me to submit to Him? Love is the greatest commandment of God, because it reflects who He is. It is an attribute that all who claim to be His children must exhibit, without being forced to..
Even when I am wronged, and situations want to force a response or a reaction from me, what comes out of me will reflect the nature that is in me. If all that flows out is bitterness, I have to be careful that my life does not end with that. I must take all necessary steps to let God in to do the work only He can do in a man's heart. He wants to do His work if I will let Him. What is in you now? What do I need to address in me? Remember, eternity beckons. Nothing of the world will inherit the kingdom of God. Only a life that has been changed by God can change the world around him. Am I that person? Are you? His time of favour is here.
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