Love Covers Sin :: Deeper Devotion

By Glenn Ansley

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

When a person gets angry at you, it’s natural to return the favor. It’s rooted somewhere deep within our sin-centered past. Although we once lived by the flesh (by our natural tendencies), Paul teaches us that we are now to live by the Spirit of God (Romans 7-8). Our “natural” reactions are displeasing to God (Galatians 5).

To live by the Spirit means that we must continually and earnestly love those around us… even when they haven’t exactly loved us first. We are to model our love after that of Christ’s love towards us. He loved us enough to die for our sins. Peter wants us to remember the great sacrifice Christ made for us and to show that same love to other believers. In doing so, your love will cover a “multitude of sins.”

How does your love cover sins though? Does your love for another believer forgive you of your sins? Does it in some manner forgive them of their sins? No, it doesn’t. 1 Timothy 2:5 teaches us that there is only one mediator between man and God. Only the love of God can forgive us from sins. Your love for other Christians is important because it glorifies God in the midst of unbelievers and it prevents the devil from gaining a foothold in your life. To forgive somebody for a wrong they have committed against you is to demonstrate biblical love. This is what we are commanded to do.

Are you holding a grudge against another believer? Is the Holy Spirit bringing to mind anyone that you need to show love to today? I encourage you in the name of Jesus to recognize your anger and hate as the sin that it is. Confess your sin and show your brother or sister in Christ the same love that Jesus has so generously shown to you.

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