Love, Sweet Love

1 Peter 3:8-22

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 
1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

There is an old song playing in my head as I write these words. "What the world needs now, is love, sweet love. That's the only thing there is just too little of." Isn't this the truth. If love ruled the world like it does in the popular Hallmark movies, we would all be so much better off.

Try to envision this: Facebook posts that only speak of loving each other. Grocery store lines with smiling faces, friendly gestures on the highway from fellow motorists. People helping each other out as the normal way to be. Too much to ask?

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)  

Jesus commands us to love each other. These words can be found in numerous places in scripture, so there must be a good reason to love like this. I am sure that initially in The Garden, love was the overarching theme, the reason God created us. God is love and we are created in His image. So, what happened? Why is love such a fleeting and diminishing emotion? Why is it so much more acceptable to hate and condemn and vilify each other?

I have a hope in my heart that eventually love will conquer all. That hope is Jesus, who will come again. Love will be the driving force for everyone. It all comes back to Jesus, the Word, the Truth and Love.

Consider/Discuss:

• How can we make one small change in how we love someone today?
• How could this change impact others as well as us?

A Hallmark Moment

Above all, love each other deeply, 

because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 NIV)

I have a confession to make. I am drawn to the Hallmark Channel. I enjoy a good love story, and while I don't appreciate conflict, I am always assured that all will end well. Some might think that Hallmark movies are cheesy, if not unrealistic. But, in this age of so much hate and name calling and violence, I find a simple form of entertainment in these flicks.

Maybe that is why I have always been moved by this 1 Peter verse about love and how love "makes up for many faults." (The Voice) Many times we are able to move past a wrong that has been done to us because of our love for the culprit. Example: Who of us have had a family member who was an addict or alcoholic. We love them, often to a fault.

We are not always on our best behavior, but because of the love of friends and family, we are not cast aside or ignored. There is a saying, Love is Blind. That is because we can overlook many things because of our love. We give grace to those we love, just as Jesus does for us. Embrace love and see if your life isn't just a bit better. 

1 Peter 4:10