Verse of the Day 1/22

Verse of the Day 1/22

1 Peter 4:8-9

New International Version

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

In this passage Peter states that "the end of all things is near", not that time was coming to an end, but the goal of his life, the culmination of his ministry had been attained and he was ready to share some final words.  So now through the end of this letter he gives his readers some final instructions beginning with today's verses.

Love each other deeply.  How is this done?  Put aside differences, forgive, don't hold grudges, don't try to "get even", be humble, give as was given to you, show hospitality.

Don Fortner writes, "Love covers, overlooks, speedily forgives and forgets. Love invents reasons to avoid strife. Love puts the best possible construction on doubtful matters. Love seeks unity and agreement. Love does not rigidly examine a brother's failures. It will not deliberately expose a brother's faults. It refuses to uncover the sins of another.....Who among us does not need the full extent of this covering? What is our brother's evil against us, compared with our sin against God? Can we hesitate to blot out our brother's few dollars, who look for a covering for our debt of ten million dollars to God? Let us imitate Christ's spirit of forbearing, forgiving, self-sacrificing love!  "

Verse 7 also speaks of being sober minded and to "stay wide awake in prayer" (The Message).

1	What a Friend we have in Jesus,   All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry   Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit,   O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry   Everything to God in prayer!
2	Have we trials and temptations?   Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged,   Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful   Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness,   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3	Are we weak and heavy-laden,   Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge—   Take it to the Lord in prayer; Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?   Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He'll take and shield thee,   Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

1 Peter 4:7-11

New International Version

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.