1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep FERVENT in your LOVE for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins, be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each has received a special gift, employ it in serving on another, as good stewards of the manifold GRACE of GOD.
What would the Body of Christ be like today if believers loved each other FERVENTLY with grace and love that COVERS a multitude of sin?
We cannot give what we have not yet RECEIVED. When we have received the LOVE and GRACE OF GOD by FAITH, we are saved FOREVER and adopted as SONS into the FAMILY of GOD. This is the PURE GOSPEL that Paul was called by Jesus to REVEAL the manifold WISDOM of GOD TO THE CHURCH who had become divided. (Eph 3:10).
Legalism had set in as Paul brought the gospel of GRACE to the GENTILES. The Jewish believers were troubled because they felt new Gentile converts must FIRST obey the Law of Moses and be circumcised and obedient to the laws of Moses BEFORE being allowed to convert to Christianity. Jewish leaders saw themselves as being at the center of God’s plan of salvation INSTEAD of choosing to see the truth that the GRACE of JESUS had changed everything.
However, Paul taught that the Jewish believers should view their Gentile brothers and sisters as being on equal footing with Christ.
The truth is that “JESUS SOARS HIGH ABOVE ALL CULTURAL BARRIERS. Christ is SOVEREIGN over all races, divergent positions, cultures, problems of humanity and family life” (NASB commentary, see Eph 5:22-6:9).
God’s chosen people have been SET FREE from SIN by JESUS by GRACE through FAITH and they must live consistently with the oneness which is in CHRIST.
Eph 1:5-9
V5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
V6 to the praise of the glory of HIS GRACE, which he FREELY bestowed on us in the BELOVED.
V7 in Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,
V8 which he LAVISHED upon us in all wisdom and insight.
V9 he made known to is the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which he purposed in Him.
As we read on in Ephesians, Paul speaks to us of:
–the administration of the fullness of times (v 10)
–predestination (v 11)
–the message of truth–the gospel of your salvation (v 13)
–being sealed by believing (in Christ) and given the Holy Spirit of promise (v 13)
–a pledge of our inheritance and redemption (v 14)
–God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory gives a spirit of WISDOM and REVELATION in the KNOWLEDGE of HIM. (V 17)
–eyes of your HEART may be ENLIGHTENED (v 18)
–to know the HOPE of His CALLING, the RICHES of the glory of His inheritance (v 18)
–the surpassing greatness of HIS POWER towards us who believe, according to the strength of HIS MIGHT brought about in CHRIST (v 19, 20).
I pray the body of Christ will love each other with a FERVENT LOVE FULL OF GRACE, POWER AND WISDOM in Jesus Name!
Grace and Peace,
Ashley ❤️