4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. 5 But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. 6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people,[c] they now live forever with God in the Spirit. 7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. (1 Peter 4:4-9 NLT)
I love these words. I love them for a variety of reasons, not the least of which because Holy Spirit affirms through Peter that it’s OK that I lost all of those “friends” when He took my old life away and made me – and my life – new. It was very hard transitioning from one life to another, but to say that it was worth it would the understatement of my lifetime. I love these words also because Holy Spirit assures me through them that ALL people will face God. That doesn’t make me feel good because of some selfish delight I would take in all of those who have mocked or forsaken me – it MOTIVATES me because I know that everyone that I see, everyone with whom I talk, or work, or even casually know, will face their creator and wither be welcomed into Paradise or condemned to Hell. These words remind me that the harvest is ripe and that time is short. One last reason that I love these words of Holy Spirit so much is because they also remind me that in the mean-time we are to simply live the primary commandment of our Lord and Savior – to love one another, deeply, so that the heart and the mind and the redemptive power of our Lord and Savior can shine brightly in a dead, dark world. Do you love deeply? Can you? You can if you know Jesus Christ as your savior.
I love these words. I love them for a variety of reasons, not the least of which because Holy Spirit affirms through Peter that it’s OK that I lost all of those “friends” when He took my old life away and made me – and my life – new. It was very hard transitioning from one life to another, but to say that it was worth it would the understatement of my lifetime. I love these words also because Holy Spirit assures me through them that ALL people will face God. That doesn’t make me feel good because of some selfish delight I would take in all of those who have mocked or forsaken me – it MOTIVATES me because I know that everyone that I see, everyone with whom I talk, or work, or even casually know, will face their creator and wither be welcomed into Paradise or condemned to Hell. These words remind me that the harvest is ripe and that time is short. One last reason that I love these words of Holy Spirit so much is because they also remind me that in the mean-time we are to simply live the primary commandment of our Lord and Savior – to love one another, deeply, so that the heart and the mind and the redemptive power of our Lord and Savior can shine brightly in a dead, dark world. Do you love deeply? Can you? You can if you know Jesus Christ as your savior.
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