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?

The Velvet Mighty Hand of God

I'm studying in 1 Pet 5.6ff this morning and I've suddenly been struck by something. In vs. 6 Peter tells us to "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God." The preposition translated "under" refers again and again in the NT to submission and subjection; "And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church" (Eph 1.22).

But wait! Peter recognizes that this is in no way an onerous command because he immediately writes: "Casting all your anxieties upon him, because he cares for you." This is profound. The one to whom we are called to be "under" or in submission to, is the one who cares for us. The mighty hand of God, therefore, is a velvet hand; a hand of support and aid. C. S. Lewis captures this image brilliantly in the person of Aslan the Lion as an allegory for God. Aslan is strong and mighty and terrible. To his people, to Edmund, Peter, Lucy, and Susan, he is firm, but kind.

Submission to the mighty hand of God, then is for our good. Who would not flee willingly to the strongest bulwark when under attack? Who would not appeal to the President for aid if he just happened to be our father?

May we submit joyfully and willingly and with great zeal to the mighty hand of God, and in return we receive his help, care, and concern. God gets the glory; we get the help.

The Usual Suspects

Reading in 1 Peter 4.3, this morning where Peter lays out a list of what the "Gentiles"—those who have not come to Christ yet—typically do. What strikes me hard is that it is the usual suspects. What was popular to do in the 1st century AD, are the exact same things that are popular to do in the 21st century AD: Living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. It's all the same.

What those who are not Christ-followers do, Christians should not be doing. That time, as Peter points out, is passed. We are men made new. Our hearts have changed. We do not do those things any more. Our aim and goal in life is to glorify Christ in how we live, rather than give ourselves over to the passions and desires of the flesh.