Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 169

June 20;   I Peter 4:8;   226/260(I);   ‘Fervent Love’

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 

Love is the defining word for Christianity.  Thank the Lord for faith and His power, they make life exciting, but the Lord Jesus said that everyone would know that we are Christians by our love.  The Bible teaches that love never fails.  God’s love in us always makes an impact for good on people.  We are told in I Corinthians 13, that it doesn’t matter what else we have or do, if we do not have love, we have nothing.  God the Father and the Lord Jesus have and continue to demonstrate their love towards us.  Jesus was our Example of love.  He was kind, compassionate and cared for everyone.  Religion is cruel and gives those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus as their Savior and Lord a wrong impression.  Since these people do not know that there is a difference between religion and Christianity, they become deceived about how wonderful Jesus is and how much He loves them.  As Christians, the easiest and best way we share the Lord with others is by walking in love with them.  In a self centered, couldn’t care less about you’ world, treating people with God’s love, sets us apart, and will open the door for us to share the gospel.  This verse teaches that as we love others, that love covers sin.  That means that if we determine to love people, that love helps us not to sin against others.  We become so busy treating others with the love that Jesus treats us with, that we overlook any and every unpleasant aspect of their behavior.  The Lord’s love was there when we desperately needed it and now we have the privilege to do the same for others.  Love is such a powerful gift we can give to everyone.