LOVE COVERS. Many years back, I had a friend that hurt me really bad. It was painful. My flesh wanted to let others know how this person hurt me and how they wronged me. I’m not sure why we have to share with others how someone hurt us. I suppose it’s a fleshly response. In 20 years of ministry, I’ve seen it a lot. We want others to know we were wronged. I was no different. But the Spirit that dwells within me is different and He spoke to me very gently, “Do not tell anyone what they did. I don’t want anyone to know how they hurt you. Love them and cover them.”
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.””
I Peter 4:8
I was hurt and I wanted others to know I was hurt, but love covers another’s sin. After all, it’s what Jesus did for you. His blood covered all your sins and cast them as far as the east is from the west. They are forever wiped from His memory and He never reveals to anyone what you’ve done; quite the opposite in fact, He has forgotten your sins forever covered by His blood.
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
Can you not do that for another? As we cover the sins of those who offend us, we are offering them an expression of Christ’s covering by his blood. I hear you proclaiming, “You don’t know what they did to me!” Do you understand your own sin was against God? You were His enemy and Christ died for you. You were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ and you are not your own. You are called to a higher calling in Jesus! “To whom more is given, more is expected.” His standard is high. We don’t lower the bar because we don’t like it. We rise to His standard. This my friend is that higher road. This road is humbling and pride swallowing. It requires looking the other way, turning the other cheek, and covering another’s shame.
“The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.”
Proverbs 10:11-12
I heard someone say this, “Keep your mouth quiet when your heart is bitter”. If you are still angry, hurt or bitter against someone; seek to forgive them and get your heart right. Then when you speak about them, it will be words of life and you will not have to later repent for idle words spoken. Love them enough to cover them. Father, give us the love of Jesus to cover our accuser’s offenses and to honestly forgive their wrongs against us just as You have forgiven us, in Jesus’ mighty name.
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