The devil walks about like a roaring lion...

1 Peter 4:7-5:14 (NKJV) from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

⁷ But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. ⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

¹⁷ For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” ¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

5 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: ² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. ⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.” ⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ¹⁰ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ¹¹ To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Today’s text begins, ⁷ But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. ⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. It is important that we remember that this instruction is to believers, for believers and in this case is about our interaction with believers. We are called to show the love of God to the world, to unbelievers, but we should have fervent love for our fellow Christians. That love will cover a multitude of sins. These are the sins Jesus speaks of in Matthew 18:21-22, saying: Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” ²² Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. ( I previously wrote and posted a piece called A Biblical view of conflict resolution – 12 steps. It can be seen on Prayers-Poems and Quotes @veinsoftruth) The fervent love we have for other believers causes us to forgive even a multitude of sin against us. In John 13: 34-35, Jesus says:  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The love that believers have for each other should be a sign to the world that we are Christ’s disciples. It is no wonder there is little attraction of the world to the church today as they see division and dissension rather than love among believers.

The text says: ¹⁷ For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?   One of the judgments against the church in our day is the amount of division and dissension within it. We as believers are accountable for the example we are to the world, for “what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God”  

Our fervent love cannot forgive the sins of the world. Only the love of God, displayed by the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross can forgive their sin. Our love, the love we have because God, through Christ, first loved us (1 John 4:19) is simply to draw other to the cross, to the love of God where they can be forgiven of their sins. Forgive us Father for the division and dissension among believers which is a hindrance and a stumbling block to the world.

Let’s end today on a positive, victorious note. The text says: ⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.      At first glance that may not seem either positive or victorious. Look though at the verse that follows.      ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  You see there is a key word about the devils attempt to devour us. It says he seeks whom he may devour. May is a word that indicates that the devil needs permission to devour us. He cannot unless he may. When we are in Christ we are sealed by the blood of Jesus. God will not give the devil permission to devour us. They only place then that the devil can receive the permission he requires is from us. The devil only has power over us to the extent that we allow it. The text says, resist him. James 4: 7-10 says:  Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded…¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.  

As we submit to God and draw near to Him, as we are cleansed in the holy presence of God, as we live and walk in that holy presence, the devil will flee. The devil lives and thrives in darkness. God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; ⁷ but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5-7)

As we walk in the light, the devil will flee. As we walk in the light we have fellowship with one another, that fellowship and our fervent love will be a light also to the world. We will fulfill Jesus call to us:  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; ¹⁵ nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ; Holy Spirit thank You that You loved me. You loved me enough that while I was yet a sinner Christ died for me. Holy Spirit I pray that in response to the love of God and the work of the cross, You will enable and empower me to love, to fervently love my brethren, may that fervent love cause me to live in unity with them and may the love that the world see in us cause them to come to the cross, to the love of God, where they too can be forgiven.    Amen.