The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: Joyce Piggott
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Pet 4:8 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
We often define love as an intense feeling of great devotion. On the other hand, we understand sin to be wrongdoing against divine law. Therefore, the idea of love covering sin evokes an image of make-up hiding blotches and blemishes to render a clear and smooth complexion. Similarly, when we love each other deeply, we are prone to put others before ourselves and ignore or overlook their wrongdoings against us.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
The context of 1 Peter in terms of community forbearance and unity (e.g., 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 5:1–11) lays the foundation for understanding the meaning of love covering sin. To cover sin is to forgive sin, and forgiveness is an attribute of love. When we love each other deeply, we can forgive each other’s sins. Jesus provided the best example of this kind of love by offering himself sacrificially on our behalf and by asking his Father to forgive those seeking to put him to death (Luke 23:34).
God expects Christian believers to demonstrate His love to others. Such love embraces forgiveness since it “keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Cor 13:5). It does not allow us to speak carelessly about the wrongdoings of our brothers and sisters. Instead, it demands that we exercise restraint and discretion, allowing the offending party to turn from the error of their way (Jas 5:19–20).
Furthermore, when we choose not to take offense at a fellow believer’s wrongdoing, we permit love to cover sin. We exercise patience and seek to understand each other in the spirit of love so that we are less likely to keep a record of wrongs.
EXHORTATION
Love covering sin does not mean that we disregard or deny the hurt we feel due to being wronged. We cover sin by acknowledging its existence and by extending to others the forgiveness that God gives us (cf. Matt 6:14–15; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13). Let us, therefore, love each other in this way.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank You for your love and forgiveness. We ask You to wash and cleanse us of all our sins and help us to extend love and forgiveness to others, especially those who have wronged us. These mercies we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.