Default to Love

To conclude: you must all have the same attitude and the same feelings; love one another, and be kind and humble with one another. Do not pay back evil with evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing, because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called you. - 1 Peter 3:8-9 GNT


Peter has just finished a description of how to live this new Christian life. From our relationship with governing authority to the operational structure of the home, submission is the common thread throughout. It is a submission not focused on the power of one over the other, but a testament to the power of love. He wants us to see that in all we do, love is to be the central focal point. That is love of God should be the lense by which we view all of our relationships. 

When we take our eyes off of love, our faith life falls out of balance with our existence in this world and the eternal. When we take our eyes off of love the submission we experience in marriage becomes off kilter. Love is the key to it all. From it we show kindness and humility. 

It is because of love that we live differently and look different than the world around us. It is because of love we can be a light in this dark world. Let love be your default position. It is only from a position of showing God's love that you can be a blessing to those around you. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt