Above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8
“Hatred stirs up dissension”. (Proverbs 10:12a). It is very uncomfortable to be among individuals who are arguing, having strong disagreements, using foul language, being verbally or physically abusive, fueled by hatred. Situations like this stir up more confusion and anger, and become the perfect set up for the enemy to take over and make things even worse.
“But love covers over all wrongs.” (Proverbs 10:12b). “Above all things have fervent love for one another”. (1Peter 4:8a). More important than anything we should do – or need to do towards one another, we are commanded to have fervent, intense love for one another, to love each other deeply. That is, in practical terms, if someone does us wrong, we still ought to love this person.
We all have had, or will have at some point, the need to “overlook”, “cover”, and “forgive” a mistake done towards us. Cover with love, compassion, forgiveness. Because most likely, we also have made mistakes, said wrong things, made wrong choices that have hurt another, right? So, we must also have already been forgiven by another.
Imagine that when our Jesus had already been brutally and undeservingly beaten, He said, from The Cross, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 24:34). What example and lesson for all of us! Jesus “is” Love. His love is the only thing that destroys “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy.” (Galatians 5:20-21).
So, let’s be more like Jesus, and prayerfully “have fervent Love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.”. Amen!
