1 Peter 1:22
1 Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
The Lord calls us to love one another deeply and earnestly from the heart, for love covers a multitude of sins. Love is the evidence of our faith, the proof that we are truly His children, and it is through love that we demonstrate the reality of the new birth. He desires for us to embody love, compassion, and kindness in all of our interactions with others. The love that the Savior had for Peter, a former fisherman, was being transformed into a divine love for those under Peter's care. Peter desired that all those who believe in the truth of the gospel, including himself and us, maintain pure hearts and adhere to Christ's commandment to love one another as He loves us. Our hearts cannot be purified by ourselves. Sincerity in our love for others and fervent love for one another cannot be achieved through our own efforts. The Lord purifies our soul through salvation and continues to do so as we confess our sins, stay in fellowship with Him, and follow His Word. A godly character and godly behavior stem from a close relationship with Christ and being continually connected to Him.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Hebrews 2:4
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
Romans 13:8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
1 John 4:11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.