The Power of Community

"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." - 1 Peter 4:8-9 (NKJV)

With eternity in mind, Peter emphasizes something crucial: we need each other. He doesn't just say love one another - he calls for fervent love. The Greek word picture describes a horse at full stride, completely focused on finishing the race. That's the intensity of love we should have for fellow believers.

How do we express this fervency? Through hospitality. We have a word in political discourse today - xenophobia, meaning fear of strangers. I don't think it's helpful to accuse Americans of being xenophobic when they are advocating specific policies, but it is a familiar term to us today. Peter uses "philoxenos" - love of strangers. Welcome people. Be a lover of strangers.

After preaching one Sunday, a visitor came up and told me, "From the first moment I walked into this church [Mount Vernon Baptist Church (www.mountvernon.church)], I was greeted. Someone immediately shared about connect groups and Bible studies I could join. The atmosphere was welcoming and warm - it spoke volumes to me." That's a modern example of welcoming strangers.

In Peter's time, hotels weren't as readily available everywhere. When a fellow believer came to town needing lodging, you opened your home. Why? Because we need each other.

During the pandemic, virtual church replaced physical church services for people. However, technology cannot connect people in the same way that in-person attendance can. Virtual church (livestreaming, broadcasts, videos, etc.) can be beneficial during times when you are unable to be with the people of God due to illness, work, or vacation. Still, nothing replaces the genuine community experienced by physically attending church.

In Acts 4, after Peter and John faced persecution and were told not to preach in Jesus' name, verse 23 tells us they "went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them." They needed their community of faith to help bear the weight of persecution. We, too, need one another.

When Peter says "love covers a multitude of sins," he doesn't mean we ignore sin or fail to call it what it is. Rather, we acknowledge our own weaknesses and handle others' failures with wisdom and grace. Every parent understands this - there are hills worth dying on and hills that aren't. Love covers sin by addressing it at the right time, in the right way, without embarrassing or destroying the person.

We're stronger in community. With the end in mind, on the edge of eternity, what relationships are you building? Because we need each other.

Reflection Question: How are you showing "fervent love" and hospitality to others in your faith community, especially those you don't know well yet?

Heavenly Father, give me a heart that loves with fervency. Help me to be hospitable, welcoming strangers, and building genuine community. Show me how to love others in a way that covers their weaknesses while still maintaining truth. Don't let me try to live this Christian life in isolation. Surround me with faithful companions who will help me stay strong until the end. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "On the Edge of Eternity" (1 Peter 4:7-11): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/cx4wgnb/20-on-the-edge-of-eternity-1-peter-4-7-11