You won’t find a lot of them in Scripture . . . but when you do, it probably makes sense to take note. One of the things I’m on the lookout for when I’m reading are “commands to obey.” And, among the commands I’ve discovered, there is a very small subset that seem to be foundational . . . that, within the context of the writer’s letter, seem to be key to doing life in manner worthy of our calling . . . that seem so essential that they merit being proceeded with the two words, “above all”.

In Peter, he’s writing to “exiles of the dispersion” (1Peter 1:1) — those scattered throughout the provinces of what we know today as Turkey. Not only are they “on the run” from those who hate them and want to hurt them because they are Christians, but they are also “on the run” from the world’s lure which says, “The suffering isn’t worth it . . . the piety is getting you nowhere . . . come, live like the rest of us . . . go back to living they way you used to . . . living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.” (1Peter 4:3)

So the pressure’s on . . . and Peter contends for their faith. And to this point he has done so by reminding them of their wonderful salvation and their “living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1:3) . . . he has reminded them of their calling to be holy (1:15) . . . he has reminded them of their need to grow up in their faith by feeding on the word (2:2) . . . he has reminded them of their exalted position as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” (2:9) . . . and he has reminded them of Christ’s suffering as an example for them to follow as they deal with their own sufferings (2:21, 3:17-18, 4:1). And then, in chapter 4, we get to the “above all” . . . .

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1Peter 4:8-10 ESV)

Above all . . . most importantly . . . before all things. Kind of makes you sit up and take note . . . this has got to be vital. And the “above all” here . . . the foundational principle for standing firm against persecution and temptation . . . the command to obey before all other commands to obey . . . is that believers should love one another . . . and show hospitality to one another. . . and use the gifts they’ve received, by God’s grace, to serve one another. This, it would seem, is paramount. Surviving the dispersion? . . . Enduring the persecution . . . Resisting the temptation . . . it seems to hinge on the reality of the dynamic we experience with “one another.”

Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately.” Believers need one another . . . they need to hang together . . . they need to love one another . . . open up their homes and share what they have with one another . . . serve one another with the “body building” gifting God has provided them. Sometimes I wonder if the North American church, at large, isn’t losing the spirit of this “above all” exhortation. Church is more about checking in on Sunday morning and less about being the body of Christ . . . more about loving the Seahawks and less about loving one another . . . more about retreating to my castle and less about opening up my home . . . more about focusing on what I need rather than what I have to give.

Ok . . . so, one might say . . . we are not exiles on the run . . . is this “above all” command for us in our context. I’m thinkin’. We may not know today the overt pressure of persecution, but who can deny the attack we are under from the world . . . the pressure to “live like the Gentiles” do . . . the temptation to go with the flow rather than be a holy people. Let’s not kid ourselves . . . it may not be the Roman government breathing down our neck, but we have an enemy who is “like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1Peter 5:8).

And so, we need to hang together . . . flock together for protection and mutual encouragement . . . exhort one another to “keep the faith” and to “keep on keepin’ on!” And it happens when we love one another . . . when we show hospitality to one another . . . when we serve one another . . . by His grace . . . and for His glory . . . above all!