1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
So many conflicts and difficult situations can be resolved with love. Love is like water on a fire or a salve that deadens pain and brings healing. Love is “above” all things. It is the greatest gift from God (1 Corinthians 13:13). Love is the result of God’s grace in Christ towards us. It is a reflection of God’s own character (1 John 4:19). We experience love must fully when we lay ourselves on the altar as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2). What affect does love have in our lives? It transforms everything we do. Consider our spirits and self-awareness (our “thinking”). We can turn our natural pessimism, discouragement, and battle to survive, into optimism, hope, and trust in God. Love gives us a different outlook about who we are as God’s creation, made in God’s image, with a purpose to live. Externally, our love changes our relationships, how we respond to the trials and difficulties we face, and our ability to be victorious over temptation and sin. Peter writes that love “hides,” “conceals,” or “covers over” many sins. The reason for this is because we are willing to overlook the faults and sins of others, because we know and have experienced this same thing from God. We love others like God loves us. We forgive as we have been forgiven. We are gracious and considerate of the weaknesses and failures of those around us because we realize in humility that we have done similar things. We cannot cast a stone at others because we realize our own sins. This type of approach to our relationships could bring much healing and redemption.
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