1 PETER 4
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. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. – 1 Peter 4:7-14
1 PETER 4 LOVE LEADS TO SELF-CONTROL
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
If you know the Lord your God, you will be a loving person
Love is kind and not boastful; it doesn’t keep a record of wrongs
Love is patient and does not envy and doesn’t insist on its own way
In loving others, you will think less of yourself and you’ll give grace
Love is the only path to avoid conflicts and relationships breakdown
Out of love, God gave his only Son so we can receive our freedom.
In this letter, Peter warns the believers of the end times that is coming soon. He wants them to be prepared for it by exercising self-control, sober-mindedness and loving one another earnestly. How does loving someone earnestly look like? It is a sacrificial love that isn’t transactional. It is a kind of love that doesn’t make the “self” get something back in return. It is a persistent act of giving without expecting anything back. No wonder Peter gives this formula for leading a life of discipline.
Let’s go to 1 Corinthians 13, which is the love chapter. In this letter of Paul to the Corinthians, we are described as a love that is so different from the world system. It defines love as patient and is kind, it is not arrogant or rude or boastful. It’s not irritable or resentful. It doesn’t rejoice in wrongdoing but in truth. Love bears all things, believes all things and endures all things. It never gives up. Now, let’s look at how the world views love. It is self-focused and self-serving. It will only do good if others do them good. It is very transactional and expects to be repaid back for what they’ve done or given. It becomes impatient when it doesn’t get what it wants or it keeps a record of what was done wrong to them. The worldly person walks away and gives up if he or she doesn’t get the result they want. The worldly system’s concept of love is based on feelings, attractions and comfort. So, when troubles come, they walk away and dispose of the other person. There is no room for second-chances or forgiveness. They want perfection, comfort and no problems.
If we walk the love that God made us for, then we will all be sacrificial and gracious to one another just as God loves us and gives us grace constantly. There will be no clamor for more but only thankfulness.
REFLECTION
· Why do you think people have a hard time manifesting self-control in our world today?
