Deeply

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV

When we think of deep things, what may come to mind are people with profound minds, scientists like Einstein and Hawking, or theologians like Augustine and Luther. Or we may think of places like the Grand Canyon (1.1 miles) or the Mariana Trench (6.8 miles). But we also measure love in deepness. (Remember the Bee Gees song “How Deep Is Your Love”?) The way we measure that love is by behaviors. Are our actions consistent with our words?

In today’s verse, Peter encourages us to think of the most profound love we can think of–God’s love for us–and love like that. How are we to demonstrate this measurable love? Here’s what Peter says:

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 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. (9-11)

We come to the second part of the verse, “Love covers over a multitude of sins.” We know what love looks like because we are beneficiaries of the greatest act of love–Jesus came from heaving assuming human form and went to the cross to atone for us. The God we sinned against came to save us.

Without accepting this gift from Christ, our love is imperfect because we lack an understanding of His perfect love. But in receiving this gift and living by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our incomplete human love can grow into perfection. The measurable part of that agape love–our deepness–is the spiritual manifestation of God’s working through us.

When we evidence this love, we and the person loved are beneficiaries. Two sins covered by one loving! But also, when we act in love, our hearts are more accepting, we don’t get caught up in the pettiness, and we are quicker to forgive.

Father, thank you for showing your incredible love in sending your Son to save us and the Holy Spirit to guide us. Help us to love deeply, to love you and be obedient to your will, and through your love, to love others. May all we do be done for your praise. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim