1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
I do not think God’s default personality is vengeful. I don’t think He’s waiting and watching, trying to catch us messing up so He can punish us. I think He is a loving, gracious, compassionate God, and I think He asks us to adopt that same attitude—loving, gracious, compassionate—towards ourselves and each other.
1 Peter 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
But when I examine myself, my actions, asking whether I am being a faithful steward of God’s grace by being loving, gracious, and compassionate, sometimes the answer is a resounding no. I’m learning that at those times, when I feel I’m failing miserably on every front, God wants me to apply those traits of grace, love, and compassion more thoroughly to myself and my actions.
1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Lord, Thank You for being the God of love, mercy, and compassion. Thank You for loving me fiercely and for infusing my spirit with these godly traits. Thank You for my ability to shower these traits on Your people. Help me to get better at showing love, grace, and compassion to myself. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Have a blessed day.