Feet to Concern

1 Peter 4:8 KJV

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

The word charity carries with it the idea of action all by itself. Charity reaches out. Charity puts feet to concern and, in one way or another, attempts to express that concern through some good deed, be it financially, providing a needed benefit or personal visitations. Charity is love in action.

But Peter presses the point and says "have fervent charity". Strong's concordance associates it with intent. This charity is purposeful, intentional, thought out. It is planned so that it is not neglected. Peter wants to know that this charity is more than considered. He wants it to be carried out.

Strong’s goes on to connect the word fervent with the idea of without ceasing. We do not quit this charity. As Paul expressed it in 1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV, And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. This charity abides. It continues on and on. It takes no rest. It is not like a vocation where a man may be ply his trade from eight to five, but go home to take on an entirely different function. This charity is not something a person does but it is something a person becomes. He does not choose times to exercise charity; he exercises fervent charity at all times because he is, by character, charitable.