“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
As Christians we should live each day in light of our Lord’s coming, remembering one’s life is brief here and this world is not our home. Our trust in the Lord and citizenship in a world “better by far” motivate us to live in a way that reflects the glory and honor of Christ (1 Peter 4:12-19; Philippians 1:23). In 1 Peter 4:8 Peter speaks of the importance of loving one another. Such love should characterize God’s people at all times but especially when times are tough. Notice Peter begins the statement with, “Above all.”
“Above All” – Because It’s the Greatest Virtue. “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
“Above All” – Because It’s the Greatest Command. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).
“Above All” – Because It’s the Greatest Badge. “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
“Above All” – Because It’s the Greatest Motivation. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision or uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. . .but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:6, 13; cf. James 2:8).
“Above All” – Because It’s the Greatest Confirmation. “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death” (1 John 3:14). “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20).
