Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. 1 Peter 4:8
The Holy Spirit tells us through Peter that above all other things that we are to have intense love for others. So above faith, above hope, above righteousness, above church attendance, above all things we are to love others intensely.
You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43-44
It takes real strength for us to love people who hate us. It is a strength that we do not have naturally on our own, but thank God, our Father has it. Our Father loves everyone and does not respect one of us over another, Acts 10:34. And our Father has poured out His love permanently into our hearts.
Sin may very well be abounding all around us, but that is alright, because where sin abounds, our Father’s Grace much more abounds.
But then Law came in, [only] to expand and increase the trespass [making it more apparent and exciting opposition]. But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God’s unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded, Romans 5:20
So through the power of our Father’s love that now dwells within us we can look past what is wrong, take no thought for it at all, and truly love other’s. We can, without any judgment, forgive all and intercede for all. What people have done is irrelevant. Whether they ask for it, want it, or believe that they need it, doesn’t matter. Our Father’s love working eternally through us freely gives it. Love covers sin, even if sin is abounding all around us.
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