Pride and Prejudice
- Eric Johns
- Feb 16, 2011
“Pride and Prejudice”
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Ever notice the amount of grace and latitude you will give some people? These people have passed our love test. If they cross a line, we extend forgiveness easily. Their missteps are understandable. We assume their motives are good. We listen to them easily. We believe the best about them – they have passed our love test.
But then, there are the “others”. We are easily offended by them. We can be critical of the most benign blunder. We can even manufacture false motives and ill-intent. If they do slip up just a bit, we find ourselves very critical and judgmental? Like Mr. Darcie, “Our good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.” They have failed our love test. We are prejudiced against them and too proud to see them any differently.
I believe this passage in 1 Peter speaks to this phenomenon, urging us to recognize it and use it for other’s good and God’s glory. We are told to make the choice to love each other. We are commanded to grant people unconditional love as Jesus taught in Luke 6, and Matthew 5. This love is not to be a shallow current that is easily knocked off course. Rather it is to be a deep momentous surge that sweeps away debris… and flows continuously. We are to love each other deeply!
The context behind this passage tells us why we are to strive for such unconventional love: “Because the end of all things is near.” We don’t have time for pride and prejudice; “we are on a mission from God”. Eschatology demands purposeful love. This kind of love is not based on justice, merit, or what someone deserves. It is a love we choose to give. It is a love that is deep. It is a love that will cover over even sins. It is unconditional and unconventional. It is a willful choice “because the end is near”. People need to know the love of God, and we are his ambassadors.
“Above all, love each other deeply…”
For more on “unconditional and unconventional love” click the following link
