WEDNESDAY
For the rest of the week, we are going to look at what Peter says towards the end of his book. Here he summarizes most of his ethical teaching throughout this letter.
1 Peter 4:7-8 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Peter’s main emphasis is to be self-controlled and sober-minded.
They are to do this in light of the end that is coming. “End” should not be interpreted as a “ceasing to exist.” Instead, it should be interpreted as the intended result or reaching the goal. This points to the era of redemption history we are currently living in. When Jesus returns the end of this era will be fully realized. Suffering will be no more. God’s plan of redemption will be fully completed. The kingdom will be here in full and we will fully dwell in the presence of God.
This view of the end should lead us to live a certain way now. We are people of a living hope. An inheritance is secure for us in eternity. The main result of this hope is to be self-controlled and sober-minded. The reason we are to be self-controlled and sober-minded is for the sake of our prayers. When we don’t live in this way, our prayers and, therefore, our communication and perceived connection to God will feel distant. Peter is mostly concerned about connectivity to God. Living in integrity and clarity of thought allows us to experience more of the presence of God in our prayers. Peter goes into three ways we can live as self-controlled and sober-minded:
- Love one another
- Be hospitable
- Serve in the gifts we have been given
The first, and greatest, is to keep loving one another earnestly.
“Earnest” refers to something that should be persistently pursued. This isn’t referring to the emotional intensity of the love. Instead, it is a love that persists in spite of difficulties.
This love covers over a multitude of sins. This is likely a veiled reference to Prov. 10:12.
Proverbs 10:12 12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
Love is in contrast to hatred, so the covering of sin is in contrast to strife. When offended or hurt by another’s sin, our temptation is to get even or continue the biting, bitterness and dissension that results. Love covers over the sins, in the sense of overlooking the offense or being willing to forgive, asking forgiveness, seeking reconciliation in humility to preserve the relationships in the church.
Sins against one another are inevitable in the church. Offenses are inevitable in the church. Disagreements are inevitable. What Peter knows (not to mention, Jesus and the rest of the apostles) is that when sins and offenses aren’t repented of or disagreements aren’t brought into alignment, only love remains. Love is the glue that holds the community together.
In the midst of these, then, love is the primary service that we offer to one another. We serve one another by loving one another earnestly and this love covers over a multitude of sins.