L. Watkinson.I. Nothing can be clearer than the duty of turning our means and opportunities to good account. She formed a strong attachment to the gentle, serious child, and would take him on her knees and tell him Bible stories, especially the sweet story of the manger of Bethlehem and the Cross of Calvary. 5. Here is the want of advice, there of support; here of courage, there of prudence; here of means and implements of trade, there of abilities for it; here of understanding, there of alacrity and application; here of moderation, there of patience; here of modesty and diffidence, there of self-importance and confidence. One obstacle of our own making to the useful exercise of our talents is a reluctance to cooperate with those who possess that quality which is wanting in ourselves, but which needs to be combined with ours in order to its efficiency. Here is strength of mind, there strength of body; here the power of beauty, there the power of eloquence; here the command of oneself and the passions, there the authority of the ruler and the commander over his subjects; here impetuous, overwhelming, there mild, insinuating, yet more irresistible force. By this I mean, in the way of delivering it, that it be done gravely and decently. Otherwise, they are as likely to possess us as we are to possess them, to be our masters as we are to be theirs.3. Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4–8. While you freely rail at all around you perhaps God is putting you down, with all your proud morality, as the less excusable creature of the two. Does the fulness of the cup of pleasure take away the necessity of pity from you? Or it may be so worthily framed and so fitly placed that the skill and power of the artist's work appeal to the most casual beholder. Varied.3. THE FERVOR OF CHRISTIAN LOVE. The imperfectly sanctified Christian needs not to make a special effort in order to transgress. 1. And having cast his care upon the Lord, he leaves it where it is cast. Further, I think the text would teach us to be sober in our griefs — whether in time of sickness, or sorrow, or adversity, or bereavement. That which is shown to be true of God's natural gifts is true in a still higher degree of His gifts of grace. Such pseudo-Christians become evident when suffering occurs, and they quickly abandon their profession of faith (see Mark 4:10-20; John 6:22-60). Thank God that you are the strong, and not the weak; that you are the helper, and not the helped. ‘Above all’-‘before all things’ (P.P. Trapp.Clouds when full pour down, and the spouts run, and the eaves shed, and the presses overflow, and the aromatical trees sweat out their precious and sovereign oils.(J. This is evidently God's purpose. Thinking and speaking, keeping silence and hearing, giving and lending, partaking and borrowing, bearing and suffering and relieving, doing and not doing, are so many different methods of serving and being useful to others, and each the best in its proper season, the most productive of beneficial consequences.(G. Incorruptible - not having the germs of death. (2) This pleasure and joy that attends charitable actions doth herein exceed all fleshly delights, that it is then at the highest when we stand in most need of it. Through Him God goes forth to His creatures. The lily in the field is one of a million, but it makes the summer air a little sweeter for all that; the star of the sky is one of a million, but it is not less a thing of glory for that; the dewdrop of the morning is one of a million, yet it leaves a spot of fresh beauty as it exhales into the light. are not you selfish? But you know there some other ways we think of covering things up.  Not just covering up from the cold.  Not just covering up so that someone cannot know what you have done.  We also cover the garbage can.  I especially am attentive to do this after I have eaten broccoli.  A cover can contain the odor of some decaying vegetables.  Not only can a covering contain bad smells.  A covering can serve other purposes as well.  My brother did a couple of years working on a burn unit.  Patients on the burn unit required very intense care.  For the seriously burned patient their bodies can be almost an entirely exposed wound.  This does two things.  It leaves them vulnerable to infection.  And it also exposes their nerve endings to pretty intense pain.  Coverings can both keep ease their pain and protect them from infection.  So here are some ways to additionally think of coverings.  Coverings contain.  They can contain the spread of something that would be bad to spread.  Coverings can comfort.  Coverings can also protect.  So how might we need such covering from a multitude of sin?  To answer this question we need to think about sin. The spirit and example of our Lord Jesus are the supreme revelation of this grace; and such a revelation was only possible because Jesus was the Son of God. As believers we reflect the love of God by forgiving others. Our grand errors on this point arise from our mistaking the effects for the cause; in making no distinction between particular acts of a charitable nature, and that disposition which produces them. We are not principals, proprietors, masters, but trustees; our gifts must not be used for ends of personal indulgence; we must please our Lord. B. Meyer, B. In other words, we have assumed for the gospel of Christ too exclusively theological a character. And, doubtless, were the least gifted among us more quicksighted and pious, they would find themselves possessed of far more considerable gifts from God's hand than they acknowledge or discern. III. It has been so in providence, wherein the sustaining grace of God has been revealing itself through successive ages of activity. Next, the end of our opportunities is at hand. Our conduct will, of course, have more or less influence upon the good and the happiness of mankind, according to the circumstances under which we act, and the situation which we occupy in society. God is glorified in an especial manner, by the effectual diffusion of the gospel, since there His perfections are most plainly illustrated, His dealings towards mankind most clearly displayed, and His requirements of homage and service most forcibly delineated and sanctioned.4. I cannot but feel that, if we would minister the gift as the Lord would have us minister it, we require greater delicacy of touch, keener discernment of human character, and a fuller appreciation of God's different methods of dealing with different souls than are commonly to be met with.(W. It is called "manifold," because God's gifts are so various in kind and in degree. )The oracles of GodW. PERSONAL CHRISTLINESS IS A DIVINE GIFT.1. "Granted, that he is now becoming soured and crabbed; but, then, what a glorious man he was in those earlier days, when he stood in the breach." "Watch unto prayer." 3. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. And afterwards he signifies, that our powers of speech and action are all to be employed in a holy and charitable manner for the welfare of our brethren, and to the glory of God our common Father, through Christ. Now it is evident, from the definition which we have just given of this disposition of the heart, that they cannot be the sins which we commit against our fellow creatures that charity shall cover; for did we possess this grace in perfection, we should not trespass against our fellow creatures at all. Love makes up for practically anything. She was a simple-hearted, loving, Christian woman, faithful in her duties to her earthly master, and faithful in her higher duties to her heavenly Master. 4. The power once hidden in electricity is now in exercise in every village, carrying on swift and silent wing the thoughts of men across the continents, "and their words to the world's end." The youth who is first at the bat or the oar; the student who leads his college class; the man who has made a reputation or a fortune in his profession or business, the woman whose grace and accomplishments are the delight of her friends; these, having the grace of Christ in their hearts, are not by these attainments detracting from its power, they are enshrining that grace more worthily; even as a diamond is more fittingly set in a ring of gold than in one of pinchbeck.Links1 Peter 4:8 NIV1 Peter 4:8 NLT1 Peter 4:8 ESV1 Peter 4:8 NASB1 Peter 4:8 KJV1 Peter 4:8 Bible Apps1 Peter 4:8 Parallel1 Peter 4:8 Biblia Paralela1 Peter 4:8 Chinese Bible1 Peter 4:8 French Bible1 Peter 4:8 German Bible1 Peter 4:8 CommentariesBible Hub. The gifts acquired are thus as various as the cast of the acquiring minds. It would be as if in the natural world all mountains were of one height and one outline; all the now changeful clouds of one permanent form; all trees of one kind and colour and shape, like the trees in the toy box of a child. But the subject should teach us lessons of devotion as well as of soberness. There is a picture of one of those strongest man contests.  You know the contests where these extremely muscular men perform contests to see who can toss huge tires the farthest.  Who can pull a truck a certain distance.  I recently saw a poster with one of these men was pulling a truck, but the caption read this is me trying to get the blanket from my wife.  Sin covers a multitude of sins.  You know there are a number of different ways we might think about covering-up for sin.  One can read this passage and come to the idea that Peter is suggesting that somehow acts of love can compensate or make up for a wide range of sinful behavior.  In fact one way we even use the term cover…is in the compound word a cover-up.  We rightly feel the injustice of such an action.  When some perpetrator is able to have their misdeeds unreported and a victim’s sufferings goes without recognition.  One aspect of being a victim is that one is treated without respect.  One’s rights of personhood are violated.  It seems that covering-up the sinful actions of another is furthering of this kind of moral injury. The power once latent in steam and inaccessible is now evoked by the millions of horsepower daily. 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,. There ought to be a certain God-like liberality in our efforts to distribute the favours with which God loads us. Are we not too often very clumsy in this respect? One an ardency to animate all around it; the other cool consideration and resolution to put a stop to this devouring flame. EACH MAN'S GIFT IS TO BE USED FOR THE GOOD OF HIS FELLOW MEN. But when I was in that country I used to look with much interest on what is generally overlooked — the dwarfed, mutilated, hidden bits of trees, which to a large extent support the clinging vines, and hold them up into the sun. In all evil there is a "soul of goodness." Above all things — See that you remember the distinguishing badge of your religion and have, maintain, fervent charity, love, among yourselves — One toward another: for love shall cover a multitude of sins — It will cause us to excuse them in others, and will entitle us, through divine mercy to the expectation of forgiveness for our own numberless failings. These hidden props have for the most part few leaves and less fruit, but their service and glory are that they bear up the goodly vine, with all its wealth of gold and purple; and however entirely these stumps may be forgotten in the day of vintage, they made a splendid contribution to the joy of harvest. And afterwards he signifies, that our powers of speech and action are all to be employed in a holy and charitable manner for the welfare of our brethren, and to the glory of God our common Father, through Christ. There is a tendency among men to esteem some gifts more highly than others; and this estimate varies in different places, and under different circumstances, and at different times. But if that work be a duty, then you cannot escape the responsibility which lies upon you to engage in it.(J. Once more, the end of our time of trial and waiting is at hand. One has understanding; and how various the species of it are! Do we always remember this theory of life? II. But we often set thus in dealing with God, using His gifts capriciously and selfishly, forgetting God's absolute authority and life's larger purpose. And all gifts, according to the apostle, are trusts. CONSIDER THIRDLY, HOW NUMEROUS AND VARIOUS THE CAPACITIES AND POWERS, THE GIFTS AND ACQUIREMENTS OF MANKIND ARE, AND THENCE JUDGE HOW GREAT THE VARIETY OF WAYS IN WHICH THEY MAY SERVE AND ASSIST AND BENEFIT EACH OTHER. that same vanity dwells with you. You would not expect the flowers to grow in your garden if the weeds were allowed to have the upper hand. The end of all things earthly is at hand, so far as we are concerned with them, or take an interest in them, because we shall soon leave them all behind. Whatever man has he should benevolently employ for the advantage of others.I. She talked of her loneliness and of her hunger to find love. The "ruin" of an immortal soul is no mere figure of speech. 1. H. M. H. Aitken, M. A.You and I can only give large sums of money to God's service, as God makes us wealthy. Our gifts increase by using; the more we bestow them, the more we have them. On some the Divine bounty seems to pour itself in torrents, while to others it comes in very slender rills, or apparently in drops only. One obstacle of our own making to the useful exercise of our talents is a reluctance to cooperate with those who possess that quality which is wanting in ourselves, but which needs to be combined with ours in order to its efficiency. "Through Jesus Christ." We don’t love to be accepted by God.  Our love is never enough to overcome the penalty of our sins.  But thanks be to God he provided a way for our debt to be taken away.  Our love is not a covering of our sins before God.  Our love is used as an instrument of healing in God’s work of bringing healing to the world.  Our love can truly be a covering for sin.  It can cover and contain the obnoxious and repulsive nature of the striving we engage in for self-importance.  Our love can be a gift of fresh air.  Our love can be a suave to the wounded.  Our love can bind the broken hearted.  Our love can be a covering to the sin weary world where we travel. They are temporal; they have had a beginning, they shall have an end. The wise must help the ignorant. Everybody knows of Livingstone, of Bishop Hannington, of Paten, of Calvert; but the sublime enterprise conducted by these heroes would be impossible if it were not for the self-denying work of labouring men, farm servants, domestic servants, little children who give and collect coppers through the land and through the year. Want torments them. )The idea and duty of human lifeW. You know the contests where… Again, the text may be considered as warning us to be sober in our aims of life; to keep clear of an entangled, perplexed, and cumbered spirit; not to raise the scaffolding of our worldly hopes too high, nor to have too many buildings going on at the same time. (4:8) Christians should not be joining the pagans in slandering one another, but through love, they should overlook the minor faults and failures of other believers. If unwatchful and prayerless, it is inevitable that we shall yield to these temptations. The love which Christ approves is that which" many waters cannot quench," and which is "stronger than death." There was in the household a faithful old servant, Maria Millis, who had been maid to young Ashley's mother when she was a girl at Blenheim, and who was now retained as housekeeper. Divine.Learn:1. Ah! You cannot move the boat from within, but you may obtain a purchase from without. 2. First, FOR THE FORCE OF THE APOSTLE'S INJUNCTION, "Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves." They consist in redemption if we will accept it; sanctification if we will seek for it; and all the blessed means whereby the life of the Incarnate Word is bestowed upon us and kept alive within us, if we will use them. Then, me thinks, our pity should flow out with our indignation in view of the sufferings often of those whom we scourge. LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS There is a picture of one of those strongest man contests. The metal was to be kept glowing, and the chill of selfishness warded off. Our days are but an hand's breadth. THE DIVINE FOUNDATION OF LOVE AS A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE. Moses, good in counsel, requires the help of Aaron ready of speech. We do not tarry long enough in the exercise to realise that without which prayer is no prayer — namely, mental communion with the Infinite, something in our heart felt to be reciprocated and returned by the heart of God. Jesus put it this way in the Sermon on the mount: Matthew 6:38-48 “ 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.‘ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. 2. The gospel vastly expands our field of duty. Now human life, as it presents itself to these two different eyes, the eye of one who sees only evil, and that of him who sees evil as perverted good, is two different things. Is there a misstep from virtue? It is so in earthly things, and surely it must be so in spiritual things. 2. make the most of your chances; once lost, they come not back again. 4. Shall we not subdue and restrain within the strictest bounds of temperance those appetites and passions which belong only to these dying bodies, and which, if indulged, will destroy our souls? It understands by sympathy. We are not principals, proprietors, masters, but trustees; our gifts must not be used for ends of personal indulgence; we must please our Lord. The purpose for which He has ordained various ranks in human society, is that He may thereby be glorified in the Christian use of influence over others, the Christian bestowal of worldly means. (Dean Alford. You may have a better mind, you may have been better trained, you may have been better educated, you may be in better circumstances, you may be surrounded by the influence of better associates, you may have ten restraints to others' one, they may have ten temptations to your one. Among our natural gifts some are common to all. THE SOCIAL BENEFITS OF LOVE. But there is another side to all this; the poor, the illiterate, the weak, the obscure may also truly minister in many ways to the world's enrichment and blessing. Watchers see where others notice nothing, their senses are more acute. N. Pearson, M. Love One Another Deeply 1 Peter 4:8 By Ben Fronczek. God is glorified by all that manifests His providential and moral administration respecting man kind.3. It is idle to say that you can do nothing, for if you are a Christian you have received something — the gift." a common interest. And now let each exchange his capacities and endowments and possessions against those of the other; now let every one apply the particular talent entrusted to him, as often as he has the proper motive and opportunity for it; what a blessing would the prodigiously various commutation of kind offices, of assistance and support, of benevolence and beneficence, be to all in general and to each in particular!IV. The Apostle urged upon the Christian converts the importance of charity. It is not to be all giving with some, and all receiving with others. It naturally follows from the former argument that the exercise of charity is the most delightful exercise we can choose for ourselves. There are other gifts bestowed upon some persons, and withheld from others. No Christian in his view gets his natural talents or material possessions, still less his spiritual endowments, for himself alone. Like those other two features of our religious character — faith and works — which act and react upon each other, so that in proportion to the strength of our faith will be the number and excellency of our works, so in proportion to our spiritual watchfulness will be our prayerfulness.

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