Unconditional Love

1 Peter 4:7-11, 1 John 4:7-9, Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 25:34-40

As Christian people we should be compelled by God, who is love, to serve him faithfully. Peter here in his letter is emphasizing that love God’s love to his and through his people covers a multitude of sin. This is the mark of a true believer - one who is compelled by the unconditional love of Christ to unconditionally love others well. 

Now, you and I both know that we could never do this on our own. This is why Jesus sends the Helper - the Spirit of God himself to dwell within us. He empowers us with gifts to be stewarded well that God would be glorified through them. Peter breaks this up into two types of gifts: speaking and serving. He exhorts those with speaking gifts to speak GOD’S truth instead of our own, to use our gifts of speaking (whether that be teaching, prophecy, tongues, etc.) to glorify him through his Spirit and with his Word. Those with gifts of serving (healing, hospitality, administration, etc.) are to serve through the strength of God in them instead of their own strength. I would even go further to say to also not adapt the world’s definition of serving, but God’s that his love and gospel may be displayed through them. 

Church, in whatever we do would we do it with hearts full of love to be poured out. Would be be marked by those who feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick, see the imprisoned. Would not see through comparison colored glasses, but to see God’s heart for all people, remember God came for us first and we must serve others just as He did - in love.