Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Love Covers!

Dear Friend

Twice Peter repeats the phrase, “Love one another earnestly.” The first time, he simply tells us to do it. I Peter 1:22 The second time, he shares a consequence, “because love covers a multitude of sins!” I Peter 4:8

Love covers!

There is a lot to say about that phrase and all sorts of what ifs and howevers – yet – at the bottom line – love covers!

God’s marvelous love covers the multitude of your own sins and we in turn are invited to cover the multitudinous sins of the people in our lives.

Covering does not mean covering up by denying the sin happened, nor avoiding the person, nor excusing abuse – for Jesus in Matthew 18 teaches us how to address the one who sins.

Through it all, love covers.

Thus, while addressing the sins of others and living with some of their faults, sins and irritations, you choose to let go and move on – passing on the grace God gave you!

May the love that Jesus covers you with move through you and cover others in your life!

Love covers!

Joy to you – Stan  

‍© Copyright 2024 E. Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

1. What do you see as the similarities and differences between love covers and love forgives?
2. Tell of a person or two in your life who you know has oovered your sins against them - and can you name specifics? Some of these situations sitmay be too personal to share, others may be okay to share with others.
3. Are you willing to earnestly love people by covering - and forgiiving their sins? If past of this means talking to them, will you do it?
4. For two excellent sermons on forgiving, see:

https://www.viennapres.org/video-on-demand?sitesUrl=L3ZwYy93YXRjaC8zYmM0ODYxMC0zZDVlLTExZWYtYTk5Ni0zOTZhNmI4MThiY2MvNWIyM2JkMjctNDc3MS0xMWVmLTg3YjMtM2QxZWIwNjU3NDVl

https://www.viennapres.org/video-on-demand?sitesUrl=L3ZwYy93YXRjaC8zYmM0ODYxMC0zZDVlLTExZWYtYTk5Ni0zOTZhNmI4MThiY2MvODIzYTY4ZmQtNGNmMS0xMWVmLTg4NDYtYmY4YjY1MWFhZTA2

Photo: benoit-deschasaux-8IQkigja_G8-unsplash

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