Lately at our house we’ve had more than one conversation about trying to pull away from checking the sad state of affairs in our world. The only good thing about the news is that it clearly shows the truth of God’s Word.
Peter wrote,
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray” (1 Peter 4:7).
- Believers now as well as two thousand years ago understand this world system will not last.
Paul said it this way,
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:22).
- Living in a fallen, broken world is not easy.
- God calls us to pray—to remain in constant communication with Him, which has been a topic of study1 throughout Christian history.
- When we stay alert to what’s going on around us, we’re better able to see needs and pray.
- An earlier translation read “be clear minded and self-controlled” (1 Peter 4:7, NIV 1978).
- The best way I know to do these things is to focus on God.
- Then it’s easier to talk to Him and to have an idea what He wants to talk with us about.
*How can we remain in constant communication with God?
*To focus on God is easier said than done. What tips did Peter give in his letter?
*What does God want to talk with us about?
As we live in these present times, Peter’s words encourage us.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
- Just when we think we can’t possibly love _____, this verse reminds us of God’s love.
John declared,
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). [photo: heart]
- Based on this simple math, we can say,
- “Above all, love each other deeply, because God covers over a multitude of sins.”
- And we would not be wrong.
Speaking of the redemption and righteousness we have in Jesus, Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. … “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Romans 3:23-24, 4:7).
- Since God covers our sins, we need not focus on the sins of others.
- This enables us to more freely love.
- As we choose to love, Jesus is pleased to call us His friends.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:13-14).
*How would you illustrate the concepts in this section?
*How does love cover over sin?
*What is the relationship between sin and love?
- Janet Holm McHenry. PrayerStreaming. (Colorado Springs: Waterbrook Press, 2005).