8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
The Amplified Version states, “Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].” Peter must’ve remembered the time when he came to Jesus seeking for some justification in forgiving his brother who sinned against him for couple of times (Matthew 18:21). Jesus then, exhorted his followers and challenge them to increase their forgiveness level to the maximum.
Now, the word “fervent” in Greek here refers to the “taut, stretched muscles of a runner winning his race” (Amplified Bible). With that imagery in mind, we gain a picture of how to love and forgive someone when it is so hard. It’s not something which comes easily. It takes enormous effort and patience to get through the test. Forgiveness is the essence of love. In loving others, we chose to forgive them.
Sometimes it’s hard to ignore or overlook someone’s offense against us, but if we choose to harbor enmity and un-forgiveness in our hearts, the root of bitterness will grow to become so huge so that it will hinder the flow of God’s blessing to our lives and to our community (Hebrews 12:15). In loving and forgiving, we overwhelm those huge rocks and creeks with the flow of God’s love and mercy. In loving them, we melt their heart of stone to understand and feel the love of God. In other words, we show a glimpse of God’s heart to our fellow humans when we choose to love and forgive our perpetrators.
Prayer: Lord God, help me to love the unlovable and forgive those whom I find hard to forgive. Help me by the power of your Holy Spirit, in Jesus name, amen.
