Peter's Pen 1st Peter 4:8-11

1 Peter 4:8-11

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.     ESV

Above all !!!!!!!
Is there any part of "above all" I need to explain?
This isn't calling us to some mushy, touchy feely relationship with one another - although there's nothing wrong with that.  But it is calling us to a very real, truth (scripture) based intimate relationship with one another.

"Earnestly" = without ceasing, fervently - or as I prefer "stretched out."

There's a hint here we need to pay attention to.  Peter writes, "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."  
This is a "secret displeasure not openly avowed."  In short, we are to love one another without reserve or resentment.  Ouch!  But let's be honest, we all struggle with the fellow believer who is (actually or seemingly) always in need, always asking, always struggling.  It seems that no matter the length or depth of our "hospitality," they never grow; they never make the progress we think they ought to make.

But, have you ever thought about the idea that they may be in your circle of influence for your sake?  Have you ever stopped to consider that it is not really their need God desires to meet but a need of your own that you haven't seen or addressed?

Paul writes of all his suffering as being for our sake; for our blessing and benefit.  Did you ever consider that though Paul coming to town would be exciting, it also brought danger and opposition?  Did those early believers ever get tired or resentful of Paul's constant danger and need?  I don't think so.

One thing we forget when we are challenged in this way.  We are to do what we can, not what we can't.  We are to sacrifice - yes.  Commit physical or material suicide? No!  There are limits to what God provides to us for others.  Certainly we tend to think others may ask too much, but perhaps we want to keep too much.

Also, we must consider, clear minded and soberly (verse 6), if and how we are called to meet their needs.  Sometimes "No," is the right answer.  Sometimes we have to be wiser than they are as to what they need.  Sometimes we have to give or do more than we are comfortable with.  This is the "stretched out" part of the love we are to give.

God may not have provided me with enough to meet all their needs.  Through prayer and counsel, I must determine what, if anything, I can do through His provision.  Yes, we can do too much for those in need, keeping them from the repentance and growth God desires for them.

This is the point of verses 10-11.  We are to do everything we can with what He has given us that He might be glorified.

We are to serve with, "the strength (or means) that God provides."  Hello!!!!  This is never some "from the hip" kind of service.  This is a considered prayerful and honest service.  NOT some knee jerk, unthinking reaction to a need.

Especially in these cases, we desperately need our minds to inform our affections (feeling).  We may have deep and powerful feelings about their condition but it is prayerful thought and even wise counsel that will lead us to the best service.

Not to be too simple but that's why God made Deacons.  Duhhhhhh.....  It is a New Covenant order for the needs of the flock to be brought to the Deacons and through their prayer and consideration needs are met.  It should not be a matter of a brother or sister going house to house, person to person, but rather a matter of them taking their need to those called and commissioned to that work.  It really is a great system that relieves them of the embarrassment of feeling like they are begging.  It also enables us to have confidence in the needs being presented by the Deacons and how we respond to them.  Confidentiality and confidence in asking and receiving as well as giving and doing are built-in blessings of the Deaconate.