1 Peter 1:22—Sincere and fervent love

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart… 1 Peter 1:22

This reminds me of one of my favorite Scriptures, James 1:21: “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” Here’s why:

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls…

You cannot be obedient to the truth and at the same time allow filthiness and all that remains of wickedness to continue unchallenged in your thought life or behavior. When a man or woman is obedient to the truth, one of the actions they will embrace is to lay aside all filth and any wicked thing that may be hanging onto their life.

Receiving the truth of the Word of God into your heart and holding it fast has a profound effect on your soul. James said that such humble receptivity of Scripture on your part is able to save your soul—it brings life, stability, and wisdom to your mind and emotions. Peter declared that obedience to the truth actually purifies your soul. And Jesus told us, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Saved, purified, and free—this is what abiding in the Word will bring to your life.

… for a sincere love of the brethren…

One of the most impressive things I experienced when I was newly saved was the sincere love that characterized the motley crew I joined when I started my walk with Jesus. I heard no backbiting, saw no posturing for attention, and sensed no superior attitudes among the young believers in that dorm Bible study. I felt accepted, 100%. Although Jesus Christ was the main attraction, everyone in that little group received plenty of positive, happy interaction. I look back on those days and realize what we were experiencing was koinonia—true Christian fellowship. We were totally real, totally accepting, always pressing on to the upward call, and full of the love of the Lord, life, and one another.

… fervently love one another from the heart.

I realize now what a rare privilege I had been a part of in the early days of my Christian walk. The potential for koinonia is always present where two or more are gathered in His name—but the actual operation of it is not always apparent.

Peter admonished his friends to fervently love one another from the heart. If koinonia was a “given” whenever believers gathered, surely they would not have needed the reminder. Today the Church is no different. The “stuff” of koinonia is present within all of us who in obedience to the truth have purified their souls for a sincere love of the brethren—but there are many adversaries blocking the way to its free flow.

How do we allow the sincere love of the brethren residing within us to pour forth as fervent love?

Paul offered a list of behaviors and attitudes native to all of us who are born again. Instead of complaining that others aren’t playing nicely, I’m going to let these power points from God correct and readjust me however I need. I’m ready for true koinonia again, and I’m willing to do my part. *[Note: The following confessions are qualities and behaviors I am reaching toward in God; not all of them describe my normal daily behavior. I am still growing. 🙂 ]

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

1. Love is patient. [I am patient with other believers; I listen to them without anxiously looking around or impatiently waiting for an opening for me to continue talking.]
2. Love is kind. [I am not terse or harsh. I consider how I would like to be treated if I was in the other person’s shoes.]
3. Love does not envy. [I am glad for others who live blessed lives. I rejoice sincerely for them when they receive what I wish I had.]
4. Love does not boast. [I am sensitive that others may not have what I have, and I do not make a big deal out of my own advantages. I don’t seek to make anyone jealous of me.]
5. Love is not arrogant. [I realize each one has God-given talents, skills, abilities, or attributes—not just me—and I also realize that I’m not the only one who has a unique place in God’s plan and God’s heart.]
6. Love does not act unbecomingly or rude. [I choose to be aware of how my words, actions, facial expression, and body language impact others, and I seek to be in control of what I am communicating. I am not only as shrewd as a serpent, but I am also as harmless as a dove in regard to other peoples’ dignity.]
7. Love does not insist on its own way. [I don’t have to have things go my way to be content or happy. I don’t push my own preferences or agenda as more important than others’.]
8. Love is not provoked or easily angered. [I use self-control when I feel I’m about to be provoked and I let go of things easily. For example, if I get served last at a restaurant or my order is mixed up, I don’t blow a gasket.]
9. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. [I don’t hold grudges against those who have hurt me. I don’t bring up past wrongs or flaws of those with whom I’m in relationship when they do or say something I don’t like. I don’t pull out the things they once repented of or confided in me about to make me look better than them.]
10. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness. [I am heartbroken, not giddy, tickled, or ready to dish out the “juice” when a fellow believer with whom I am not “in sync” stumbles or falls.]
11. Love rejoices with the truth. [I am glad whenever truth prevails, miracles happen, bodies are healed, and souls come to Christ—even if it’s through someone whom I perceive as odd, cocky, or a bit off.]
12. Love bears all things. [I am able to press on in Christ and to remain kind-hearted even when no one else believes in me or cares much at all about me.]
13. Love believes all things. [I believe the Word. I believe in God. I believe in the Son who died for me. I also believe that the same Spirit who lives in me and convicts me also lives in everyone else called by His name…and therefore, I believe He is working in them just as much as He is working in me.]
14. Love hopes all things. [I hope in Him, and my hope fixed on Him purifies me. It is an anchor for my soul, bringing me stability and hope for good to come.]
15. Love endures all things. [Nothing will separate me from the love of Christ—not tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword (Romans 8:35). I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).]
16. Love never fails. [I can fail; but the love of God never fails, and His love is poured out in my heart. As I lean heavily on that love, then I will not fail.]

Again I ask, how do we allow the love that is in us to pour out with sincerity and fervency?

We go to the Word and receive His living truth which will transform us day by day—and we act on it as we endeavor to put others first.

May the Lord direct us all in this.

Dorothy

…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

© 2015, Dorothy Frick