Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 4:8 (NLT).
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Peter has good advice for our relationship with God and each other. We need to love God, our neighbor and ourselves in order to be complete as Christians. That may sound a little strange, but unfortunately our self relationship may be our worst stumbling block in trying to follow Jesus.
Proverbs 10:12 tells us “Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.” This is especially true when we love even our enemies as Jesus taught in Luke 6:27. Our love can “cover a multitude of sins” committed against us, but what about love covering a multitude of MY sins?
We may find it hard to love and forgive ourselves after a loss or trauma, even if we were not the cause. What could we have done, how could we have prevented the event? The answer is most often “nothing”. Peter must have agonized over what happened to Jesus and the fact that he denied Him out of fear. Jesus loved and forgave Peter, but Peter also had to love and forgive himself to be restored as an effective disciple.
Loving Lord, we are sorry that we allow evil to distract us with anger, guilt and shame. Help us to give it all to You in faith and live as Your forgiven and beloved children, sharing Your love with the world. Amen.
