1477) In one of my weekly newsletters, I discuss why “Context is King”. To handle or study God’s work accurately, it’s crucial to consider the context of what you’re reading. Peter talks about how to live a holy life in 1 Peter 1, and verse 22 is part of that description.

In verse 22, Peter tells us one aspect of living a holy life is loving others sincerely or deeply. This seems to be an easy decision but let’s take a moment to consider what loving others deeply involves.

Loving deeply means you listen to others when you’d rather not. It requires that you attempt to encourage others and support them, even when you don’t particularly like them. Loving deeply means investing yourself in others’ lives. This literally means giving a piece of yourself to others. Yet, loving deeply also opens the door for others to hurt, and even use you but Peter doesn’t give an exception clause in this verse.

In this life, loving deeply is a blessing, but it also can be painful. Choose to love deeply anyway.