Be alert
The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.. 1 Peter 4:7-8 CSB
God’s plan of redemption has been completed with all of creation awaiting Christ’s return. We then get to our call-to-action word “therefore.” Because of the hope of Christ’s return, Christians should live in that hope in the present day. First, Christians are called to pray purposefully. Christians should “be alert and sober-minded,” meaning that they are to pray, evaluating themselves and the situations around them calmly and collectedly, not affected by the hectic lifestyle and the persecutions they may be facing. Prayer must be taken seriously, being mindful that when we pray, we are speaking to the Lord of creation who is there to guide us through to times of difficulties. Second, Christians are called to love one another. Here, the Greek word for love is agape, self-sacrificing love as Christ had displayed on the cross. It means to love despite being wronged by them as well, meaning a forgiving love, a love that “covers a multitude of sins,” or can be translated as a love that “is willing to forgive a multitude of sins.” Within the church, believers are called to love and forgive one another to maintain unity. We can see this message of forgiveness constantly being poured out in Matthew 18:21-35. Now, this does not mean to ignore the sinful behavior. Sometimes, confrontation is necessary in demonstrating love. But, it is also important to have the willingness to forgive and restore. Gruden wrote on this passage, “Where love abounds in a fellowship of Christians, many small offenses, and even some large ones, are overlooked and forgotten. But where love is lacking, every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is liable to misunderstanding, and conflicts abound.” May we love and forgive one another as the day of Christ’ return approaches.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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