1 Peter 4

Thursday, March 14, 2013

1 Peter 4

Another indication that Peter is expecting the end times presently, but then he gives us words worth living by:

"7 Remain calm so that you will be able to pray."

I love that.  Prayer has more than once restored my calm in a panicked moment.  Prayer has settled me, been a lifeline.  But I only truly pray, I only truly find God in my prayers, a conversation with Him, when my mind is already calm.  When I am able to let the world fall away.  When I can let this world pass away.

"8 Above all, let your love for one another be constant, for love covers a multitude of sins."

That's why we only really need the golden rule.  That's why Jesus told us elaborate codes of conduct are unnecessary, a side effect of how we don't embrace the true way to goodness and holiness.  Because we do not love one another enough to think of them first, to place them in each of our actions ahead of ourselves.  Surely we will not sin if we act in love of our fellow man.  Surely if we treat them with care and respect, we will not fall into terrible sins.

And if we cause harm, it will be through error rather than malice.

Love covers a multitude of sins.

"9 Be mutually hospitable without complaining. 10 As generous distributors of God's manifold grace, put your gifts at the service of one another, each in the measure he has received. 11 The one who speaks is to deliver God's message.  The one who serves is to do it with the strength provided by God.  Thus, in all of you God is to be glorified through Jesus Christ: to him be glory and dominion throughout the ages. Amen."

Peter can't help giving us a few more guidelines anyway, but they are good ones.  Particularly to remember that the gifts of God we are given are not for us.  They are for us to use in service of others.  The gifts we hold in our hands are no more for us than the presents we wrap and bring in our hands to a birthday party.  They are from us, they are of us, they often say so much about us.  But they are not for us.

No one should need a crying four year old to tell us that.