Scripture:  1 Peter 4:7-11 (Focus on verse 8)

7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Observations:

Above all:  of great importance.

Keep on loving one another earnestly.

Since, love covers a multitude of sins.

Application:

At the end of an exhausting and stressful day my margins were spent and my mouth was the evidence:  @&! *%^##!!!!

The next day I was amused and convicted as my wife proceeded to tell me how glad she was to hear me express my frustration.  Ha!

Love is a not a cover-up when it comes to sin.  There is no pretending about reality.  Rather love deals with and metabolizes sin in an effort to value and build up the relationship.  We leave and are done with sin because of a greater experience and vision of love.  Being confronted, forgiven, and loved is life changing.

Love is a choice.  The importance of being earnest cannot be underestimated!  Earnestness is an attitude that keeps us leaning into the relationship.  As a follower of Jesus we lean in with grace seeking to call out the Holy Spirit’s deep yearnings and longings for us to be to revealed as God’s children.

How can we be this way in the church?  Where is the earnest community of Jesus’ disciples?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me with a long-suffering enduring love.  Thank you for the grace of Jesus that mercifully covers our sin.  I need your healing touch again today and the Spirit’s reminder to freely give.  AMEN.