1 Peter 5:1-4

"Watch over those who are entrusted to you, not simply as a duty but willingly and with gladness of heart, according to God's will."

This letter is attributed to the apostle Peter, but it is written in excellent Greek and thus in its present form, at least, reflects the hand of a Greek-speaking Jewish church leader, even if the ideas go back to Peter. The passage at the beginning of the fifth chapter concerns the care of members of the church. The letter urges that this not be merely a matter of duty, but be undertaken with "gladness of heart."

The author of this letter knows that duty alone will not sustain the life of the church. Our care for one another must reflect our sense of the care God has for us. Then doing our duty will reflect our gratitude to God.

Grace and peace...Bob