it starts and ends with love

2 Peter 1:⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

Why is love last in the list?  Virtue, knowledge,self-control, perseverance, godliness, and brotherly kindness have preceded Peter's mention of that great quality: Love.  Perhaps it is because love is an attitude that underscores all of the traits and behavior that Peter has mentioned.  Love is more than an attitude...it is the driving motivation that brought the Savior to earth and that brought us to the Savior.  Love should also motivate us toward the highest quality of relationship with our God and all others who walk the earth (and drive the interstate) with us.  So what is love?  Love is caring for someone else, when it is your nature to care only for yourself.  Love is putting others first.  Love is giving freely without expectation of return.  Love expands our world and, at the same time, draws it closer.  Love is a four letter word that is better demonstrated than spoken.  Love is the weave of life that pulls the threads of individuals into the fabric of eternity on the loom of our Lord.  

1 Corinthians 16:¹⁴ Let all that you do be done with love. 

 

blessings,

Rob Smith