This morning I was studying the book of 1 Peter and I came across 1 Peter 4:8 talking about fervent love. What does it mean to walk in fervent love? Today I want to break this scripture down and look at that word “fervent” in more detail.
This concept is very important because we see in the Bible that faith works by love (Galatians 5:6). It’s important to realize that without love we profit nothing.
Our Text
8 And above all things have fervent charity [love] among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 KJV
A Song from my Childhood
I’m reminded of an older song I grew up listening to called, “Love Let’s Me Give to the Limit” by David Ingles.
This song perfectly describes everything this verse is talking about.
What is “fervent love”?
1618 ektenḗs (an adjective, derived from 1537 /ek, “wholly out” which intensifies teinō, “to stretch” which is also the root of English terms, “tension” and “tense”) – properly, stretch out, i.e. fully because completely taut; (figuratively) at maximum potential, without slack because fully extended to its necessary outcome.
1618. Ektenés (Strong’s Greek)
What is “love”?
It’s important to briefly look at what “love” is. Now when we say “love” we aren’t talking about something sexual here. The love we are talking about it the God kind of love. Romans tells us that the Love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts.
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:5 KJV
This verse clearly shows us that this kind of love isn’t something that we can operate in without the Holy Spirit. The only way you can walk in the love of Christ is through the Holy Spirit. You have to focus on what the Lord is telling you to do and say and flow out to others from that place.
Fervent Love operates “wholly out”
The way we are called to love others is without any reservation at all. That means you cannot consider what they will do to you if you behave as Christ did.
In the natural we might reason, “Well if I behave this way won’t people take advantage of me?” The truth is yes they probably will that’s why 1 Peter says…
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1 Peter 3:17 KJV
This wholly out love will make you feel like you’re exposed, but remember your life is hidden in Christ Jesus. When you remember that, then you can confidently say, “You cannot hurt me because I love you.”
Fervent Love is a Decision
Love is a decision that you make. It’s not a feeling. Jesus Christ didn’t feel like going to the cross. He sweated blood in the garden fighting against His will to not go to the cross.
That’s the same thing that we have to do. We have to pick up our cross (the place our will and God’s will meet) and carry it daily.
As our definition shows (and the song says), this fervent love operates at “maximum potential”.
Fervent Love “stretches” You
The fervent love that God wants us to operate in will always put you in a position to think, say and do something opposite of what you really want to do. The Word of God will put your flesh into some pretty inconvenient locations where you have to choose between loving people or being selfish.
Wrapping Up
The love of Jesus Christ compelled Him to the cross around 2,000 years ago. It was this love that motivated to lay down His life for us. This also is the same love we are to operate in with our family and friends.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 KJV
Fervent love is love that doesn’t back down when it gets hard, but instead pours everything you have into others to see them come to a better place.
That’s exactly what I’m doing writing this blog post.
There’s a heaven and there’s a hell and I don’t want to see you go to hell when it’s so easy to go to heaven.
The Bible says,
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9-10 KJV
Really the only thing you have to do is acknowledge that you need Jesus and believe that he went to hell to take you to heaven.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13 KJV
It really is just that simple.
The decision is yours to make.
Prayer of Salvation
Jesus I acknowledge that I’m a sinner. I know I cannot do anything to get to heaven apart from you. I believe you died on the cross and rose again 3 days later, and I accept you as my Lord and Savior right now and ask you to come into my heart. Be the Lord of my life. I will honor and obey you from this day forward. In Jesus Name, Amen
Contact Us
If that was the first time you prayed that prayer, please contact me either via email at [email protected] or via the website chat to the right of your screen. I want to send you some more information on what you just did and some assurances that you are saved and on your way to heaven.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at any time.
Also if you missed it here’s my last blog post. Temptations the Devil uses in times of Testing
0 Comments