1 Peter 1:22 "Now that you have purified yourself by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for the brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."
Peter is writing to the church of God who have now been scattered abroad (vs 1-2). It is apparent that the church has already experienced trials which have refined and purified their faith (1:6-7; 4:12-13). Their obedience even through these hard circumstances has given them pure hearts and built up sincere love for their brothers and sisters in Christ. But now Peter is telling them to go a step further and to love each other deeply.
They already loved sincerely. They truly did love each other without a fake front and hypocrisy. But now they were to love deeply. Deep is below the surface level. Loving one deeply requires knowing one deeply. Knowing one deeply requires effort. It it takes unconditional love because beyond the surface, things will be shown as they really are, raw and broken.
Why were believers commanded to do this? The following verses indicate that it is because of the new birth, which has allowed us to take part in God's family for eternity.1 Corinthians 13:8 tells us that prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will one day pass away but it is love that forever endures.
Love is eternal. I must take that mindset and intentionally love, first sincerly, then deeply. I must take time to truly know a person and to love , even when I see the brokenness beyond the surface.
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