“Above all, keep your love for one another constant, for “love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8, TLV

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers up all transgressions. Proverbs 10:12, TLV

Our context here is that Peter is writing to prepare followers of Jesus for living in the end times. Yes, it appears that Peter, like many of the apostles, thought that Yeshua would be returning soon.

I wonder if they believed that because things were so bad? “—living in indecency, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, wild parties, and lawless idolatries.” (1 Peter 4:3, TLV)

“Surely,” they may have thought, “it couldn’t get any worse.”

Unfortunately, it did. But, the fact that Peter instructs the believers to still exercise love and walk in humility and offer hospitality during this time of chaos is significant for us.

Peter quotes the verse in Proverbs. The part that struck me was that frustration with others’ sinful behavior can evolve into hatred which produces strife. An environment that seldom produces love or change. We must choose love. Even when we don’t feel it, or they don’t deserve it.

Love doesn’t mean we approve of sin, it means we aren’t condemning or judging. Fortunately, that is not our job.

I think of Peter’s behavior when Yeshua was arrested. He fought to defend Him — Jesus. It sure would seem like the right thing to do. Peter loved Jesus. But Peter didn’t understand God’s plan.

And that’s why we need to remember this teaching. We don’t always understand the plan of God.

“Now the end of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for prayer.” (1 Peter 4:7, TLV)

Quite a challenge. But hearing the lesson from someone who learned the hard way, might make it easier to accept. Thoughts?