We are so much more gracious with those we love than we are with those we don’t know. While we may get annoyed by those close to us, we want to maintain those relationships, so we get over it. Peter is telling those in the church to treat each other that way. Love covers a multitude of sins when our love is born of the Spirit.
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
Drama Not Worth the Energy
The context of this verse is Peter telling the church “the end of all things is at hand.” He may have thought that Jesus was coming back soon, and so he was urging his readers to let love prevail. Trivial annoyances weren’t worthy of expending the energy getting mad. Just love the people and let the Lord work the issue out as you pray for them. It’s two thousand years later, but the emphasis behind it is still the same. Love covers a multitude of sins.
Take a Biblical Approach
What about those people who cause issues wherever they go? We don’t just overlook their offenses. Matthew 18 tells us how to deal with them. If they have wronged you, go to them and confront them. If they recognize their wrong and repent, you have gained a brother. If they don’t, follow the rest of the protocol. You don’t stop loving someone because they have sinned or wronged you. True love makes things right.
Love Covers a Multitude of Sins
If you are struggling with this principle, let me suggest that it is something that God is trying to work out in you. If people keep entering your life that cause problems, God may be working on increasing your capacity to love. Seek Him in prayer and ask that your motives are right and if you need to grow, then let the Spirit do His work. Sin is not going to cease in the church, but love can.