S - 1
Peter 4:8 (NIV): "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers
over a multitude of sins." (MSG) "Most of all, love each other as if
your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything." (AMP)
"Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for
love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of
others]."
O - This
is not an exhortation toward denial or pretend.
It is an affirmation of the most important assignment humans have toward
each other … love your neighbor as yourself.
This response/capacity has as its source the primary assignment given us
toward God … love him with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. In both cases the result is a multitude of
sins being covered (kaluvptw: to hide or veil, to hinder the knowledge of a thing). Jesus
said that all Scriptures hang on these two commands and that if we would do
them we would live. Peter says … above
all else. Religion says, only under
certain conditions. Jesus says this is
the greatest. Culture says only fools
love this way. It's not that sins
aren't sins. Rather, it is that they become the opportunity to love rather than
to condemn. This is how God
demonstrates his love for us, while we were still sinner Christ died for
us. This is the same demonstration we
have been called to live out loud day by day with our brothers, sisters and
neighbors.
A -
Culture/religion wants me to be right; Jesus wants me to be near.
Culture/religion is focused on information and the Kingdom is focused on a
person. Culture/religion is all about
what is seen (how things look) and the Kingdom is all about what is unseen (how
things actually are). Culture/religion won't
discourage all love it just doesn't want it to be "above all
else." It can be on my list just
not first on my list. Jesus put love first on the list for all people and this
beautifully forgives, disregards, and hinders the knowledge of the sins of
others. I've found that when Jesus addresses
my sins he's not looking to publically expose and make of me an example. Rather, he's looking to forgive completely
and make of me an entirely new creation.
He insists I hold every life in the hope of transformation -- even my
own. Okay, Steve, so … above all else
love your neighbor as yourself.
P - Lord
God who is love,
Thank you for wanting us to
receive and give love above all else.
Jesus, thank you for revealing the Father and for continuing to reveal
him so that the love he has for you would be in us and that you yourself would
be in us. Lord, I need and want your
love, to love you back and to make you glad by loving all others. Today, with 9 shopping days left 'til
Christmas and the press felt in our culture, I want to love. Today, I welcome you and all you want to do …
and the very first on your list is love.
Lord, I do love you back!
Steve
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