Devotion:
Read 1 Peter 4:8.
Peter believed that Christ would return any moment, and the instructions he gives in this letter carry an urgent tone of immediacy. We should hear them in the same way, knowing that life on this earth is really short. Peter tells us, above all things, to love one another deeply. From the greeting in the opening of the letter, we see that this was initially written to Christians spread throughout Asia Minor, scattered from Jerusalem because they had been persecuted for their faith, and we can read this as if written for us as well. If we love someone deeply, we are most concerned about what is good for them, not us.
I wondered what Peter meant by saying, “love covers over a multitude of sins” (NIV). That sounds a bit like covering up or hiding sins, which is probably not what was meant. The Common English Bible says instead, “love brings about the forgiveness of many sins.” I like that…Christ’s love for us brought about the forgiveness of all our sins. And if I love someone deeply, I am much more likely to forgive them for any wrongs they may have done to me.
Personal Worship Option:
Pray with me: Gracious God, help me to love others deeply. By others, I do not mean just family, but also my church family, other Christians, and those who do not yet know you. Help me to love so sincerely that I am able to forgive others, just as Christ’s love forgave me. Amen!
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