Fervent Love

S - 1 Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."

NKJV

 

O - We are to love one another not with just any ordinary kind of love, but with a "fervent" love.  What does this mean?   Can we describe our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ as "fervent"? 

The word "fervent" in this Scripture has been translated from the Greek word  "ektenes" which means "intentional and without ceasing".

(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

 

A-  Kim and I confessed to one another that we often find ourselves being overly critical with people we meet.  Rather than looking for the best in every person we meet, we regress to our old fault-finding natures and distance ourselves from people rather than embrace them.  This is very bad.  Peter is telling us this morning that when we interact with people, we must intentionally love them , the kind of love that leaves a lasting impression on both people.  If this is difficult to do, then we must make a greater effort and again, be intentional about it.   Because if we love every person like this, what does the Scripture say will happen?  We will no longer be able to see their faults because "love covers over a multitude of sins."

 

P -  Lord, You love us with a fervent love.   Your love is intentional and it is everlasting.  Kim and I are far from good at loving people yet, but we hope that in Your eyes we're getting better at it.  Your words are a big help to us.  Thanks for the insight this morning.   Amen