LOVE COVERS OVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS

Passage: 1 Peter 4:1-11

Key verse: 8

NIV

Living for God

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,(A) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.(B) 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,(C) but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past(D) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.(E) 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.(F) 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.(G) 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,(H) so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

7 The end of all things is near.(I) Therefore be alert and of sober mind(J) so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply,(K) because love covers over a multitude of sins.(L) 9 Offer hospitality(M) to one another without grumbling.(N) 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,(O) as faithful(P) 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.(Q) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,(R) so that in all things God may be praised(S) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.(T)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Stewards of God's Grace

4 Since therefore (A)Christ suffered in the flesh,[a] (B)arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for (C)whoever has suffered in the flesh (D)has ceased from sin, 2 (E)so as to live for (F)the rest of the time in the flesh (G)no longer for human passions but (H)for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past (I)suffices (J)for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of (K)debauchery, and (L)they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready (M)to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why (N)the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

7 (O)The end of all things is at hand; therefore (P)be self-controlled and sober-minded (Q)for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since (R)love covers a multitude of sins. 9 (S)Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 (T)As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, (U)as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks (V)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves (W)by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything (X)God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (Y)To him belong glory and (Z)dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Peter 4:1 Some manuscripts add for us; some for you
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Peter tells us since Jesus suffered in his body and died for our sins, we must be done with our sinful nature. If we are living without Christ, then we are living in sins: lust, drunkenness, and detestable idolatry.

Peter also warns us to be alert and pray. And above all, he admonishes: Love each other deeply.

How can we love one another? It is only possible when we depend on Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. He holds the power and authority to help us when we are unable.

Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, we are done with sin. However, to be more like Jesus each day, we need to stay in Jesus, our vine (Jn 15:5), and ask for his help and mercy. When we go deeper and deeper into our relationship with Jesus, we will become more like Jesus in all our areas of life each day.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, help us to grow into a deeper relationship with you every day.

One Word: Jesus will enable us to love one another