Once again, I took several different looks at this post's passage which is 1 Peter 4:8-9.
July 29, 2023
Prayer
Psalm 118:19-21
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give You thanks, for You answered me;
You have become my salvation.
Passage:
8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (NIV '84)
Thoughts:
Verse 8
"love each other deeply"
This is not romantic love. That would make a real mess of things. This is agape - love that comes from God. This is love that grows inside of us because of the Holy Spirit. This is love that "covers over a multitude of sins." We see each other as God sees us - washed clean by the blood of Jesus. We sin and hurt each other, but the Holy Spirit give us the love to overlook those sins to see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Here I have truly failed miserably. I have allowed the pain caused by my fellow believers to fester into grudges. I have refused to see others as Jesus does. And what has this gotten me? More pain as it has eaten away at my Christian love for others. I am certain I have hurt others, carelessly and unintentionally, and how many times have people had to forgive me?
Jesus loves me. How dare I withhold that love from anyone else?
Verse 9
Hospitality without grumbling.
What is grumbling? It's more than just muttering under your breath. It is complaining to others. It is speaking of our actions in such a way as to call attention to ourselves. It is a "see how much I have done for others" kind of attitude. It is an attitude that demands gratitude. This is not hospitality. Hospitality is humble. It calls no attention to itself. It does not demand gratitude. In fact, hospitality may go unseen and silent.
How do we show hospitality? Is it just letting people into our homes? No, I think it is more. I think it is letting people into our lives - welcoming them in to be loved and cared for. It is being welcoming at church - drawing people into a loving family of believers. Think of the hospitality that Jesus showed when He brought us into His family.
October 1, 2024 TENDing
Take Time to Pray
Psalm 71:14-16
14 But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise You more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of Your righteousness,
of Your salvation all day long,
thought I know not its measure.
16 I will come and prepare Your mighty
acts, O Sovereign LORD;
I will claim Your righteousness,
Yours alone. (NIV '84)
Examine
8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Notice
What do you see about God's character?
God is love and His love covers our sins
God's hospitality to all sinners is something that should guide our behavior.
What lessons are being taught? Is there a sin, promise, action, command or example being taught? Is there a warning being given?
God loves us deeply and wants us to show His love to others.
God's hospitality is infinite, inviting all people to come to His table.
God wants our hospitality to reflect His hospitality.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believers in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV '84)
Our love (given by God) frees us to forgive sins.
Our hospitality (reflected from God) should be humble and free from grumbling.
Do
Consider how you need to respond to what God is teaching you?
Question
I don't entertain in my home, so how do I currently show hospitality?
How can I show hospitality to those closest to me?
Response
Currently: My sewing room is also a guest room, I bake cookies for people, I try to be a helpful friend.
Show hospitality: Tomorrow I am cooking dinner for Rick!
October 2, 2024 (parts of verse mapping)
Prayer:
Psalm 78:1-4
1 O my people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things, things from of old -
3 what we have heard and known
what our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
His power, and the wonders he has done. (NIV '84)
Outcome:
The word used for "love" is "agape." Agape love is the ultimate love that God has for us as our heavenly Father - and the love we have for God. By definition to me, it seems that this kind of love is deep. "deeply" adds emphasis.
How do we love each other with agape love?
Let God's love flow through us. Stop putting up human barriers.
Serve each other. Jesus came to serve, so we should serve.
Forgive each other. "love covers over a multitude of sins" Don't wait for the apology or vindication, just forgive. God will help us forgive. If God forgives us, how dare we not forgive each other.
Be a good friend. Jesus treated people as friends. Help carry each others' burdens and celebrate our joys together.
Love like family - the way God intended family to be.
And others I have not thought of.
"Hospitality" with grumbling is not hospitality. Hospitality is a product of agape love. Hospitality is more than opening your home to guests. It is opening your arms and heart to others. It is serving others. It is being welcoming.
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