Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
LOVE SERIES – PART 3
It’s interesting that “Above all” is often written before “love each other” or love themes within the Bible.
‘Above all’ could be translated as ‘you’re highest concern should be’ or ‘the most important thing is.’ In fact, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that of the three things that will always remain – faith, hope and love – that love is the greatest!
Covering sin doesn't mean turn a blind eye to it. Reading some commentaries around it suggests it actually means to “share the burden of sin.”
Verse 7 ends with “…be alert and sober of mind so that you may pray” – so another way to look at it would be to cover sin with prayer.
Armed with this new revelation you can now approach friendships, especially ones where you know of the affect of sin, with a new light.
Our responsibility is to bear the burden of it! Often we wash our hands of the burden by judging the situation:
“Sally should not be doing that” or “I would never do anything like that!” or, “Doesn’t Jim know what he's doing?”. That kind of judgement does not fix or solve the problem – it doesn't ‘bear the burden.’ In fact, it further perpetuates and fuels the behaviour. And there’s the key word: ‘behaviour'
We so often focus on the outward expression of what is, a deeper and inward issue. Symptoms of deeper hurt or insecurity. But when we do that, we judge a person by their superficial behaviour without looking behind the curtain to the fundamental issues. The root causes. It’s when you do, that sympathy and empathy begin to fuel your outlook on your friends and families behaviour.
Jesus said while hanging on the cross “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.” What gave Him that depth of understanding? Empathy. Compassion. All emotions that spring from, you guessed it… LOVE!
When you come across sin today, even in your own life, allow love to cover it! To bear and share it’s burden… and cover it in prayer…
You are simply the best! Much love…