Swept Away by Grace—A Study in I Peter (part 18)—A New Commandment to Love
I Peter 4: (GNV) “7 [h]Now the end of all things is at hand. Be ye therefore sober, and watching in prayer. 8 [i]But above all things have fervent love among you: for love shall cover the multitude of sins.”
Peter has reminded us of the Grace by which we are saved and that it is not because of anything we have done. Just as Peter had learned at the cross, there was nothing within his own character of which to be proud. Indeed selfish, self-centered pride seeking self-exaltation was man’s original sin as Adam and Eve desired to be “God” rather than to enjoy the pleasure of their position as provided for, protected children. That is the same issue we have faced within our own hearts ever since. In the very center of our human hearts lurks this evil of selfish pride seeking to exalt our own being. Peter is so aware of this evil being present within the body of the church as well as the world. He urges the early church to be willing to suffer as Jesus suffered for the sake of the gospel. He reminds them that this can only be done through the grace of Christ transforming us, through focusing on the brevity of this world’s journey, and by watchful prayer. Peter now urges the early church to love each other and to let fervent love give a heart of forgiveness, kindness, and encouragement. He had been there at the last supper when Christ said as recorded in, John 13: “34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
photo used with permission of Cheryl Delashmit
For me to lay aside my self-exalting, selfishness of heart to develop Christ like unconditional love that forgives others I must first be honest with myself regarding my own sin. In humility I must first remember that without Grace, I am nothing. My position in Christ is because of who Christ is and His redemptive work at the cross. If I understand that truth, then how would I not be able to forgive my brother or sister in Christ?
Christ had said that all of the law is fulfilled in these two: 1. To love the Lord your God with all of your heart, your mind and your soul 2. Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22: 36-40) Why would I be so selfish as to demand it be my way only rather than to realize that the most important thing is to spread the gospel through love, kindness and humility? Even that, I must be willing to slay each selfish thought as it enters my mind. I must remember Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. I must allow the overflowing fountain of God’s love, joy, and glory to fill ever crevice of my heart that it might then flow forth to others.
Let us look at this once more from the words of another apostle, John.
I John 2:1“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments…5whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.”
Lord, my prayer today is to lay aside all pride or selfishness that I might be filled with your overflowing love, joy and glory. And Lord, please Teach Me to Love with an unconditional, forgiving love like the love you have so generously bestowed upon me.
1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
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©2014 Effie Darlene Barba
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