Now that we are saved . . . .?

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. (1 Peter 1:22)

It is almost as if Peter is saying, "Now that you are saved, show it!" The Christian faith is proved out in love. Anyone can love a friend. It is easy to love those who do good to us and never harm us in any way. But to love someone we do not actually know . . . one who is not really that close to us . . . one unlike us?

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) This is the kind of love Peter is writing about in his epistle. Love for the one who hates us. Love for the racist. Love for the liar. Love for the one who plots against us. Love for the irritating co-worker. Unconditional, Christ-like love . . .one that loves, helps, sacrifices, and forgives.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) Jesus laid down His life for all who would believe. Are we willing to sacrifice our will for God's will and allow His love to reach those in our life who seem unloveable?

Now that we are saved . . .