1 Peter 1:21-22 // It’s hard to love hard people

SCRIPTURE

Through Christ, you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. 22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. 1 Peter 1:21-22 (NLT)

OBSERVATION

Peter commands believers who have been exiled, living as foreigners throughout Rome to show sincere, deep love to each other.  Under the pressing hardships and persecution, they are enduring, Peter reminds them of their firm foundation…trust in God, being forgiven of their sins through Jesus’ resurrection.

APPLICATION

Hardships test my relationship with God and others.  It’s easier for me to fall into sin when I’m focused more on my problems or challenging circumstances. The sin of grumbling and irritability that leads to insincere and sinful attitudes, words, and reactions… with my wife… and others (help Lord)!

And there are people that are just hard for me to love.  It’s the hard, difficult people in my life I have a tough time loving.  God is speaking to me to:

1. Shut my mouth more.
2. More quickly take negative thoughts to Jesus.
3. Process inwardly with God, before outwardly with the jerks (sorry, it’s how I feel about some), or the hard people in my life.
4. Be humble, not harsh.
5. Work on being sincere, to show deeper love.

PRAYER

Dang Lord… I’m the one who is a jerk and a hard person at times!

Here I am a pastor, spiritual leader who has known You for 40 years! Forty Years! I’m sincerely sorry for giving You a bad name at times. My representation of You is so lame at times. I’m so sorry. Thank you for your ever faithful conviction and grace to forgive and cleanse me. And for always renewing my heart to keep loving and living for You. I ask You for strength and grace to live out the application above…please. I want to reflect You and Your sincere and deep love to the hard people in my life… and everyone I come in contact with. Thank You, Godhead. I love You mega!