Motivated

Scripture is not silent on the subject of corporal punishment. Despite all that modern "science" tells us, the Bible is in favor of corporal punishment (Prov 10:13; Prov 13:24; Prov 22:15; Prov 23:13-14; Prov 26:3; Isa 30:31; Lam 3:1; etc.). In fact, Scripture says that God practices it (Heb 12:3-11). So where is the discrepancy? Why does "science" (I put this one in quotes because the "science" we're considering is psychology, and most scientists will tell you that's not science.) disagree with God? I believe the problem is what's behind the punishment. Most parents punish their kids at any given moment out of anger or embarrassment or irritation rather than out of love. They want the child to stop doing what they are doing. Bill Cosby used to joke (back when we were allowed to think he was funny) that parents don't want justice; they want peace.

So how would corporal punishment look if it was administered with the motivation of love rather than retribution or our typical, self-serving motives? It would look a lot more measured, a lot more restrained, a lot more principled, a lot more forgiving, a lot more caring. But the simple fact that so few today can even envision the concept of pain and love commingled tells us that love -- the biblical kind, at least -- is not in vogue. It is, in fact, a largely foreign concept to us.

That's what makes Peter's statement so hard to follow.

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

On the surface it seems easy, but dig in, and you'll see it's not.

"Above all." There is no higher command, no higher calling, no higher motivation. Love. We are told to do lots of things, but love is the highest. It ought to be the motivation for everything we do rather than an unknown entity or a fuzzy affection.

"Keep loving one another earnestly." Continuous present tense, an ongoing action. Keep doing it all the time. Doing what? Not just loving one another; loving in earnest. Literally, loving with intent, earnestly, eagerly, with resolve, with purpose, with determination.

Why? "Love covers a multitude of sins." Now that one should give us pause. "Love overlooks sins"? No. "Love covers sins up"? No. Love "does not take into account a wrong suffered." (1 Cor 13:5) Love, in short, forgives. Now, that's not, "Don't worry about it." That's "That was wrong, but I'll pay the price myself." Like Christ did. Love, then, sees the things done against me, acknowledges them, and sets them aside so as not to get in the way of me loving them. It doesn't demand settlement. It pushes past injury. It seeks the best for the loved one.

Like that. Love like that. Choose to love like that -- continuously and with intent, setting aside wrongs done to love more. Whether it's in raising children or loving a spouse or loving fellow believers or pursuing unbelievers with the Gospel or ... wherever you are placed to love others. Always for their best. Never about you. Make love your primary and preferably your sole motivation -- love for God and love for those around you. At least, that's the plan. Now, if only we can figure out that "love" isn't just that warm-but-fleeting affection we're so enamored with.