Most Important of All

Reading:  1 Peter 4; Proverbs 30

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 NLT)

Phrases like “Finally, brothers and sisters,” or “Most important of all,” really catch my attention when I’m reading the Bible. The one thing that has stood out to me as I have recently read through the letters of Paul, James, the letter to the Hebrew Christians, and this first letter of Peter, is how earnestly and how often we are admonished to love each other!

At this season in the life of the young Church of Jesus Christ, there were doctrinal issues to resolve, there were persecutions being suffered, there were so many questions to be answered! But in all these letters, the thing that stands out “Most importantly of all” is the command, admonition, challenge, and encouragement for Christians to love each other – to love each other unconditionally and deeply and demonstrably.

I know there are a lot of other things we must talk and teach about and emphasize in the church in addition to loving each other. But Peter says that the one thing most important of all is that we show deep love for each other. If we really do love each other deeply, that love will cover scores or hundreds or thousands (he said multitudes) of sins, mostly sins against each other. Otherwise, those “uncovered sins” will separate us and isolate us and keep us from becoming what we’re called to be – Christ’s unified, healthy body.

If God values our love for each other so much that he uses up much of the New Testament to remind us about its importance, maybe it should be more important to me. And to you!

Is showing deep love for others “Most important of all” to you?

Prayer:

Father, I want to put my energy and emphasis on the things that you say are “Most important of all.” I purpose to love more deeply and to let love for others cover a multitude of sins. Please love others through me with your God kind of love. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.