Click Here to Read 1 Peter 4:7-5:14

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’” (1 Peter 4:8 NKJV).  In verses 7-11 of chapter 4, Peter charges us to be serious and watchful in our prayers, hospitable without grumbling, good stewards of the manifold grace of God, and above all things to have fervent love for one another.  He doesn’t tell us to “feel” love for one another, but to “have” love for one another.  The Greek word for fervent that was used here also means “intent; without ceasing”.  Above all we are to love intentionally, and without ceasing.  Why is Peter saying that this is the most important thing?  “for love will cover a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NKJV).  The Passion Translation says, “Above all, constantly echo God’s intense love for one another, for love will be a canopy over a multitude of sins.”  (1 Peter 4:8 TPT).

I love how it says to “echo God’s intense love”.  More and more I am understanding that as we get to know God, we are supposed to become mirror images of Him so that we reflect Him to others.  God’s love in us is what makes us shine in a world of darkness.  Just as God is not interested in dwelling on our past but quick to forgive and elevate us, we also should have the same mind toward one another.  Using our gifts to minister to one another as “good stewards of the manifold grace of God…If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11).  Peter is reminding us just like Paul did so many times that our lives and all that we do are for the grand purpose of glorifying God.  We get to be vessels of that glory and through our service and love toward others His glory flows.  Thinking about it that way, I can’t think of anything else worth living for more.

Peter reminds us again that suffering is to be expected as a follower of Christ.  I struggle with this sometimes because it seems to me that because Jesus suffered for us, we shouldn’t have to suffer.  But Peter reminded us earlier in this letter that the purpose for Jesus’ suffering was to bring us to God.  “For Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18 NKJV).  Going back to chapter one he tells us that this suffering of Jesus “has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV).  I think what Peter is trying to get us to see is that we have a future life that will far exceed anything in this life, that this life is so short and temporary in comparison to eternity.  He wants us to fully grasp what we have been given in eternity, grab on to that hope and let that be the motivation for how we live in this life.  Suffering and persecution are expected because Satan is the “god” of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), and he hates God and all that God loves.  We are targets of his destruction simply because we are objects of God’s affection. 

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” (1 Peter 5:8-10 NKJV).  In thinking about the sufferings of the Christians of the early church I have to believe that this eternal glory that God has called us all to had to be so real to them that even the tormenting deaths that awaited many of them could not shake their faith, hope, or joy. 

What must they have experienced or known of this future glory that they would stand in the face of such tyranny and think that no matter what happens to my physical body my spirit is and always will be free and untouchable?  Their reality had to have become that future glory already.  And I think that is what Peter is trying to encourage for us.  That in comparison to eternity, this life and everything we know of this world is nothing.  That our hope is in something far greater and our faith that it does exist and awaits us is so unshakeable that whatever suffering we might endure here will only serve to make us stronger and perfected in that faith.  Earthly sacrifices are nothing in comparison to heavenly gains.  And Peter is telling us that the knowledge of what lies ahead of us has got to be what our faith is grounded in.

Our love for others is above all things because we want others to join us in this life of glory that awaits us.  Our steadfast faith is to inspire hope in others and our love is to draw them into the living hope that we have been reborn into.  1 John 4:19 says that we love because God first loved us.  Often times He loves us through the love of people.  How we love should always exemplify God’s love and our faith should exemplify our confidence in what He has set before us.  Jesus knew that his time on earth was temporary, and that the eternal purpose for which He was called would be established for all mankind.  His suffering, brutal as it was, served to magnify the absolute love and goodness of our Father, and Jesus was exalted over and above all because of it.

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV).

Let’s pray.

Father we thank You for this life that you have given to us.  This opportunity that we have to bring glory to Your Name here in the earth.  We thank You for the eternal life You have awaiting us that far exceeds anything we have or will experience in this world.  Though this life may be all that we know right now, we know this life is not all that there is.  As we travel through our time on this earth and face various trials and tribulations, we pray that You would remind us of the glory that awaits us.  Teach us how to meditate on things above and keep our focus on Your eternal Word rather than allowing the troubles of this world to distract us from our faith.  May our eyes be fixed on You no matter what the storm around us looks like.  We know that our time here is limited, so teach us how to love, that while we are here we may exemplify Your very nature.  And may all that we do here serve to bring You glory and honor and praise.  Amen.