Fervent, Persevering, Sin-Covering Love

Peter writes to fellow believers: "Keep loving one another earnestly, for love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Pet 4.8) There is a lot said in a short amount of time when you begin to think about it. Take the little word "earnestly" for example. In the Greek it is a word that means to persevere, but also carries the implication that you don't waver in your interest or devotion while you persevere. This is perseverance that costs you something. It takes commitment, effort, and the resolution not to quit.

So we are to love one another with this love that doesn't quit. Yep, even when the other party isn't interested in returning your love. Indeed, Peter tells us to love one another fervently, earnestly, and perseveringly (is that a word?) because this type of love is a sin-covering love. It "covers a multitude of sins."

Tall order isn't it? Especially when it comes to your kids...or your spouse...or Mr. Prickly Pear cactus who always seems to drop in at the most inconvenient times. If it were easy, we wouldn't have to depend on the Holy Spirit, would we?

He who Avenges Blood

This is a revelation of God's character that we don't often mention, but the psalmists (David here) are not so reticent to point it out. "When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: He forgetteth not the cry of the humble" (Ps. 9.12, KJV). Vengeance for innocent blood is God's responsibility, and here we are promised that he will carry out his responsibilities. This is why as Christians we do not seek vengeance. Indeed we are called to love our enemies. God, who is the perfect judge, will carry out vengeance for innocent blood.

Here we find the beautiful thing. The same God who is a God of vengeance, is the one who sent his only son, Jesus, so that we who are guilty—we who ought to receive God's vengeance—can be delivered from it. This is why, while a man breathes, there is always hope that he will come to his senses and follow Christ.

Faith Without Love is Wasted

In 1 Cor 13.2 this morning: And if I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Faith without love is wasted because it is nothing. The gift of prophecy and understanding all mysteries and knowledge, if I do not combine them with love is worthless. This is the importance of love.

Oh Lord God, may I remember that in your kingdom it is always love and... It is easy to deal with people on a practical level without thinking through what love would do in a situation. Sometimes love appears merciful; sometimes love appears judgmental; it takes great wisdom and commitment to understand the difference. May I love people, O Lord, as you love people.

I am Sure/Confident/Convinced

Reading in Rom 8.38,39, which we might call the summit of Paul's theology, the apex. He begins it with this statement, I am sure (ESV). I don't really like the ESV's translation here because Paul uses the perfect tense which one uses of something that was true in the past, is true now, and willl be true into the future. It is a very strong tense, and Paul makes a very forthright comment. He deliberately uses the perfect tense (pepeismai), meaning, ‘I have become and I remain convinced’, for the conviction he expresses is rational, settled and unalterable. (John Stott).

So whether we translate it as I am sure, or I am convinced, or I am persuaded, or I am confident, Paul's message is that he has no doubt about what he is about to say; he is firm; he is without hesitation. Of what? That any created thing would or will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. THAT you can take to the bank.

What Does it Mean to Love God?

I'm glad you asked, and John is happy to answer for us in his first letter to the churches. We demonstrate our love to God by keeping his commandments. It's that simple and that difficult. No rocket science needed. No difficult exegesis. No confusion. You say you love God? Show me your obedience to what he has commanded you to do.

We are prone to say that we love God and then do what we want, especially in our day and age. There are numerous Christians who profess love of God, but then live as if his commandments were non-existent. If this is you, then you do not love God. Plain. Simple. Straightforward.

Adam Clarke: It is vain to pretend love to God while we live in opposition to his will.

A Staggering Truth

God's love is perfected in our love of one another! Thus 1 John 4.12. What to say about this? It's at once an unbending responsibility and a high privilege. As we followers of Christ love one another, then God's love is perfected. So states the notes in NET: The love that comes from God, the love that he has for us, reaches perfection in our love for others, which is what God wants and what believers are commanded to do (see 3:23b).

How to Ensure You Gain Nothing

Thinking about 1 Cor 13.3 this morning where Paul lays out a clear path for us to ensure that we gain nothing. It's quite easy. Whatever else one does, be it helping our fellow man, having great faith, being filled up with knowledge; if we want to gain nothing we just need to do the opposite of what Mother Teresa said. I believe she said, "We can do no great things, just little things with great love."

Do you want to gain nothing? Do ginormous things without love.