Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8
The church was only about 35 years old. Nero’s persecution of Christians was severe in and around Rome, but was not widely spread except, he encouraged Christianity’s enemies across the Empire to take every advantage to abuse at the slightest pretext. This letter was born shortly after Paul’s martyrdom and just before Peter himself was executed for his faith. Its purpose? To encourage and shore up forbearance under extreme difficulty and remember Christ’s work was fulfilled through suffering.
Christians are referred to Pilgrims, a people on a trip through strange and foreign lands headed to a hope filled land. In that frame, we know suffering is part of the journey to our eternal home with Christ.
Along the way, when suffering brings despair, in weakness, a brotherhood can quickly turn to competitive positioning for earthly authority and false security. Peter’s call is for us to honor all men but fervently uphold one another, for Christian love is the supreme virtue of a life. It is The One Thing We Cannot Survive Without!!!
Loving you,
Gretchen