Love Covers Sin

November 26

It’s not always easy to love. Many people have been hurt in love, have been disappointed by those they loved so they are wary of loving. Love carries with it a component of trust that, once betrayed leaves the wronged party with his guard up and his ability to plunge whole-heartedly into a trust relationship greatly diminished.

This trust factor is important not only in personal or romantic relationships, but also in interaction with neighbors and co-workers. Even nations require a component of trust when entering into trade agreements or peace treaties or when resolving border disputes.

We might think it is impossible to ever fully trust or, therefore, to ever fully love because virtually none of us is without prior disappointment. But that’s not what the Lord requires of us. That’s not what He expects to be the basis of our decisions regarding trust or love. I Peter 4:8 gives His viewpoint which is, “Love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

This verse recognizes that there may be sins we’ve borne at the hands of another, but we are not to be governed in our attitude or our behavior by our experience. We are to allow the example of Christ when He said of those who crucified Him, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” (Luke 23:34), to prevail in our hearts and spirits. He died because love covers sin. He wants us to live in His love that still covers sin.