Love covers a multitude of sins ∙

Love covers a multitude of sins ∙

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

1 Peter 4:7-11  

 7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.

 8 Most importantly, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

When they first met, Edwin Stanton snubbed US President Abraham Lincoln personally and professionally – even referring to him as a “long-armed creature.” But Lincoln appreciated Stanton’s abilities and chose to forgive him. They were reconciled. Lincoln appointed Stanton to a vital cabinet position during the Civil War.

Stanton later grew to love Lincoln as a friend. Stanton sat by Lincoln’s bed throughout the night after the president was shot at Ford’s Theater and whispered through tears on his passing, “Now he belongs to the ages.”

Reconciliation refers to the process of restoring a relationship or resolving a conflict between two or more parties. It involves acknowledging and addressing any differences or misunderstandings that have caused the rift between the parties and finding a way to move forward positively and constructively.

Reconciliation can be a powerful tool for promoting healing and growth. Reconciliation can take many different forms depending on the specific circumstances of the situation. It might involve apologizing for past wrongs, forgiving past hurts, making things right, negotiating a compromise, or developing a plan to prevent future conflicts. The ultimate goal of reconciliation is to build trust, restore communication, and create a sense of mutual respect and understanding between the parties involved.

Reconciliation requires a willingness to listen, empathize, and work together toward a common goal. It is an essential process in many different areas of life, including personal relationships, business partnerships, and international diplomacy.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Lord Jesus Christ did not die only for “nice” people. He gave His God-honoring life for our God-dishonoring lives. He did this because of God’s amazing love (Stanley).

The forgiveness of God is the test by which I myself am judged (Oswald Chambers).

Oh Father, I realize unforgiveness abides in the deepest recesses of my heart. Please enable me to learn to forgive others as You forgave me.

INSIGHT

1 Peter 4:8 Love covers a multitude of sins.

The Greek word translated as covers is kalupto. kalupto means to hide, conceal, or cover. In 1 Peter 4:8, it has the sense of causing a multitude of sins to be overlooked and not punished. Figuratively, it has to do with showing a kind attitude toward the failures of others: concealing, keeping secrets, or preventing spiritual comprehension. Hence it has a sense of pardoning or not holding accountable.

Reconciliation is a beautiful thing. The apostle Peter showed the way to reconciliation in one sentence: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

It’s possible that Peter was reflecting on his own horrific failure when he denied the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:54-62) and the forgiveness he graciously received from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Through His selfless act of love on the cross, the Lord Jesus Christ made it possible for us to be reconciled with God (to answer it.

To overcome our natural reticence, the Father has graciously provided us with an example in the Lord Jesus Christ. But he’s provided us with something much more powerful. Because he fully forgives us, we know exactly what forgiveness is and how it feels. We can forgive others in the same way we have been forgiven.

How can we forgive and be reconciled? The children of the King cannot do it alone and need the Father’s help. The Father grants us the strength to release our past and move forward with Him into a life filled with grace and beauty. It is only with His forgiveness that we can forgive others. The Lord Jesus Christ showed the way, and we follow His example by extending His forgiveness to others (James Banks).

Things go wrong in the best of churches and the godliest of homes. What do we do then? The place to start (and end) is to choose to imitate the Father’s love for us and bear with one another (Colossians 3:13) (Stanley).
 
True love covers a multitude of other people’s sins (Proverbs 10:12). Where love abounds, offenses are frequently overlooked and quickly forgotten (ESV notes).  

You might think today’s reading is merely a list of commands Peter expects his readers to embrace. However, the statements in Proverbs 10:11 are written to encourage. This is evident by the beginning phrase “if anyone.” The challenges to those who speak (teach and preach) and those who serve to describe how these things are to be done – with confidence.

The Father is praised and honored when we depend upon Him. The one who speaks must have confidence that their message reflects the heart and mind of God. The one who serves must trust that God’s strength supplies everything needed for the assigned task.

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© Dr. H 2023