1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Happy Valentines Day! This week’s verse, 1 Peter 4:8, is joined by a special guest – Jerry ‘Hot Rod’ DeMink. Thank you for all your help! This is a wonderful verse that I find myself singing quite often because it really showcases the redemptive power of love over sin.
- God’s love covers all of our sins.
- When we love the LORD, we love others.
- When we are loved by others, our sins are covered.
God’s love covers all of our sins.
No matter how many times we stumble, this verse reminds us that His grace is enough. His love is poured out abundantly over us and it covers all of our sins. I am so thankful for that because I am prone to wander. It is His love that draws me back to Him. May we be comforted, find rest, and dwell in peace by His love.
Romans 5:20
God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
Psalm 85:2
You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.
When we love the LORD, we love others.
Through our gratitude for God’s love and His forgiveness, His love begins to overflow into the people in our lives. We cannot contain it! We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). That same grace is naturally bestowed onto others. When we are wronged, we’re not overlooking the sin, rather, it is no longer the emphasis. Our love for the person is what matters. God’s grace allows us to forgive others in the same way that God forgives us. Rather than seeing the sin and harboring animosity, we see the person for who they really are. This includes their shortcomings and faults, but by his grace we are more patient and understanding.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
When we are loved by others, our sins are covered.
It brings such comfort to know that our sins are covered by love, through grace, from those that love us. We constantly hurt those that we love most because we are most comfortable around them and our guard is down. Forgiveness and restoration in our closest relationships can only happen through love.
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
What are some practical applications of loving one another?
1 Peter 4:9-10
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Peter wrote this with the backdrop that the end of all things is near (1 Peter 4:7). As such, we should be active and alert, living for the will of God. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8; see also Psalm 90:4) and his words are no less true today than the day they were written.
In a world that is full of sin and chaos, we can see the brokenness behind it all. We know that God’s love has conquered sin and death. We get to share that story! What better way to do that than by using the gifts that God has given us to serve others, in love.
From where does our love come?
1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
May you be blessed this week as you love one another earnestly. May you forgive one another in the same manner that Christ has forgiven you. And may you receive the same forgiveness, abundantly from those around you.
By His Grace Alone,
Leyna