Unpacked and Challenged

 

1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."

Note: For clarification of the following, I encourage you to read 1 Peter 4: 1-11

2/13/2021

The pastors at my church have been preaching on the book of 1 Peter for a while. This is a very powerful and timely book that is certainly challenging. This morning, following a time of struggle, I was drawn to 1 Peter 4 1-11. Usually my husband and I have a joint devotional time in the mornings, but today I needed some alone time with God. I found a quiet place and landed on 1 Peter 4, which in my Bible has the heading of Living for God. This, as God knew, was just what I needed to refocus me. As I read, the challenges came. The following is what I wrote in my journal about each verse.

v1 - Christ suffered and so will I. I must die to sin

v2 - If I suffer and die to sin, I should no longer live for earthly desires. I should live for the will of God. 

v3 - The time of living like a pagan is over if I am in Christ. 

v4 - People will not understand this change, and abuse will come. 

v5 - Those people, like me, will be accountable to Christ

v6 - The gospel is preached so people will live according to God in  regard to the spirit.

v7 - "The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and   self-controlled so that you can pray." Satan clouds my mind and makes me focus on self, so that I will be pulled away from the Spirit and will not be led into prayer. The only way for me to not fall into this trap is for me to decrease and Christ to increase in me.

v8 - "Love covers a multitude of sins." Thank you God for this truth. I must focus on deeply loving others, the Author of Love is my model for this. 

v9 - Be hospitable without grumbling.

v10 - Use gifts given in service to others, and administer grace in various forms.  (This last part is interesting to meditate on)

v11 - Speak the word of God into others. Serve with God's strength He will be praised through Jesus Christ. "To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."

The two questions I then asked myself were:

1) Does my life reflect these verses?

2) Am I truly living for God?