Dispensation...the Wayfarer

Dispensation

1 Peter 4:8

⁸And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Charity: a word often interpreted also as love, yet one used also in the attempt to justify ongoing actions in an attempt to "buy" eternal life, a gift that cannot be bought and needs no justification.

Charity, in and of itself, without true repentance, remains NO dispensation from sin, and there is NO dispensation for sin that may be given.

Coffers fill rapidly and daily with the "charity" offered by men to assuage guilt, and provide cover for continuing that which creates that guilt, in hope that somehow the statement in this single verse would be enough at the end of the day to grant something not granted in life.

Let us put this verse into the context with which it was given by the apostle Peter, rather than into the context delivered too often to fill those coffers, too often to grant that temporary "warm fuzzy" that is only replaced by continuation of that  which drives the necessity for dispensation for sin rather than dispensation FROM sin.

1 Peter 4

King James Version (KJV)

4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

² That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

³ For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

⁴ Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

⁵ Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

⁶ For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

⁷ But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

⁸ And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

⁹ Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

¹⁰ As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

¹¹ If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

¹² Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

¹³ But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

¹⁴ If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

¹⁶ Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

¹⁷ For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

¹⁸ And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

¹⁹ Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

The first two verses of the chapter that includes that often heard opening verse are a reminder of the necessity for repentance, and CESSATION of sin, not a dispensation to continue in sin, and attempt to cover it through visible charity, important to men as they continue on about their business, even when that business is sin itself.

While hospitality among believers is encouraged, while the sharing of wealth is encouraged, among believers, while FERVENT Charity, the love to be shared among believers, are all encouraged, there is also given the warning that accompanies the promise that demands REPENTANCE for REDEMTION, the only acceptable means of achieving that redemption through the blood sacrifice of Christ Jesus.

The affairs of men remain the affairs of men. The business of men remains the business of men.

The goals of the affairs and business of men remain men's goals, and reflect only the goals of the creature that would continue to remain separate from the goals desired for him by the Father.

The apostle Paul addressed charity as well, in such a manner that excludes dispensation FOR sin, and extolls dispensation gained FROM   renouncing sin:

1 Corinthians 13 King James Version (KJV)

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

⁴ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

⁸ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

¹⁰ But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

¹¹ When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

¹² For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

¹³ And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Faith, hope, and the charity defined so well.. the trifecta of evidence of the believer, are all dependent on having heard and accepted the simple message delivered us through Christ Jesus, and all remain available only through having heard and heeded both warning and promise.

Full coffers are meaningless unless those coffers are filled with the LOVE of that message.

That LOVE is not visible in the coffers, but indeed from whence those coffers are filled, and the purpose to which they are put to use.

2 Timothy 1:12

¹²For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day

Amen and Amen

the Wayfarer