Today’s Reading: Isaiah 36; Isaiah 37; Psalm 76; 1 Peter 1
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart
Observation: I love the first chapter of Peter's first letter! There are so many really great truths here. This particular verse gives us a progression of life that produces a character of sincere love. Let's look at it. First, there is a purification process that is engaged by obedience to the truth. Of course, you can't obey what you don't know, so the prerequisite to this is an awareness of the truth. This requires making yourself available to be taught and open to receive what is taught, submitting yourself to the truth. Once you have received and believed the truth, then you must obey it -- consistently, sincerely, humbly. This habitual obedience to God's truth has a purifying effect on our lives (of course it would since there is a ongoing grappling with the flesh when you seek to follow the Word). And one result of this purification process is the ability to love others sincerely.
Application: No wonder we have so many unloving Christians! (At least they call themselves Christians.) The true and sincere kind of love that Peter is referring to is not an emotion but it is a commitment based on conviction -- the result of a process that requires dedication, humility, and consistency exercised over a long period of time. There are several proofs of a life lived in surrendered obedience to God's truth. Sincere love is one of them.
Prayer: Lord, help us to plug into this process and stay with it. The long-term commitment required produces fear in the hearts of many. Help Your people to put aside those fears and to embrace the promise of Godly character which is only produced through Godly living. Lord, purify Your church so that the fruit of love is not only present, but is the primary characteristic of Your people. May people say of us, "o how these Christians love one another!"
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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