His Love Covers Our Sin

March 7

“For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16. These are among the most precious words ever penned. This one brief sentence has given us more comfort, more hope, more peace of mind and spirit than those of a thousand libraries.

And just what is the essence of the blessing these words are to us? In a word, love. Because God loves us, unlovely and unlovable though we may be, He paid the price for our sin. The cost was beyond calculation but His love compelled Him to give Jesus as the payment for our sin, to buy us back from the enemy to whom we’d sold ourselves.

When we have received the free gift of salvation from sin for which Christ paid so great a price, when we are set free from guilt and sin and shame, what can we do to demonstrate our appreciation, to enable others to know Him whom to know is life? I Peter 4:8 gives us a glimpse of the answer that will help others to appropriate the Lord’s love and salvation for themselves.

It says, “Above all, love one another since love covers a multitude of sins.” We are to love others as Christ loves us. As His love covers our sin, so must we allow love to cover the trespasses that are perpetrated against us. When we do, we shall extend grace and forgiveness as He does—and by so doing, we will be the reflection of Jesus that draws men to His salvation.