Love Others Deeply, Love Covers Sin

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We often speak of “covering up a scandal.” When someone does something wrong, friends and associates often help hide the evidence so the guilty party does not have to deal with the consequences.

Even within churches, ministries, and so-called Christian organizations, horrible crimes of sexual misconduct and abuse have been covered up by those claiming to be Christians. This is not what 1 Peter 4:8 means.

Sometimes we even speak of “overlooking” wrongs. When someone unintentionally hurts us, it is our prerogative to overlook that wrong and not hold it against them. This is a good thing to do, but even this is not what 1 Peter 4:8 means.

Peter was a man who had a fervent love of his Lord, and the elderly apostle encourages us to let love be a dominant theme in all our lives. Peter also knew the amazing grace and perfect peace that comes when sins are covered. He knew the liberating joy that floods the soul when sins are covered by Christ, the lover of our soul.

Does not He Who loved us so deeply, even to the point of death on the cross, demand that we display unselfish love towards others? Is He not worthy to receive the same depth of love that He showed towards us when we were dead in sin and at enmity with God, a sacrificial love, a dedicated love, a complete, unselfish, and holy love?

Should not we who have received such a depth of love and forgiveness from our precious Savior, not show forth His love to others? "Love one another as I have loved you," was the command Christ gave to the Church.

Should not our love for one another reflect that pure, selfless love that the Lord Jesus demonstrated toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us?

Such love does not wink at sin, nor does it translate imperfections into destructive criticism, but is gracious toward the faults of others and patient with their defects. Such love applauds the good qualities they find in others while speaking the truth in love.

This love encourage others in their Christian walk. This love forgive past offenses. This love understand their foibles and are wisely insensible of their errors.

This forgiveness and restoration will be costly to us. It will be messy. It will be difficult. But this is exactly what God has done for us in Jesus. At His Own cost, He has encouraged us to repent, forgiven us our sins, and restored us to a right relationship with Himself. This is what love does. Love covers a multitude of sins.

I love you and God loves you!!!

Father, thank You for this day and Your unconditional and unrestricted forgiveness. Lord open the storehouses of Heaven and pour out Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. Lord thank You that as far as the east is from the west, is the distance that our sins have been removed from us. Lord thank You for this truth, that love covers a multitude of sins. Lord use my friend to be light of Your love today. Be a blessing.

Father, we love You. Amen !