Read 1 Peter 4:8-11 When I was a teenager, I experienced a very embarrassing moment that I have never forgotten. My youth pastor, his wife, myself, and a girl went on a double date. As it came time to pay, I realized that I had left my wallet at home. I leaned over to my youth pastor and quietly whispered in his ear and explained to him my situation. What happened next was unexpected.
My youth pastor loudly declares, "Oh sure Tony...I will pay your bill since you forgot your wallet!" Talk about an embarrassing situation! We all laughed about it. But, I experienced something that day about love and honor. In 1 Peter 4:8, the apostle declares, "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly since love covers a multitude of sins." Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, a man known as a father of The Church, in the only book he ever wrote says, "above all - love." In other words, if you don't get anything else that I say...If you can't agree with the other stuff...if you miss everything....don't miss this!
Love fervently because love covers a multitude of sins.
No, I didn't sin that day. But it was a vulnerable moment. The youth pastor could have inconspicuously COVERED my bill and my honor would have still been in place. He chose to expose me. He chose dishonor.
Honor, love, and covering people is of utmost importance to God. Today you will face opportunities to expose or cover the people with whom you are connected. You will make social media posts. You will respond to people's sins and mistakes. A store employee will treat your wrong. Someone will cut you off on the interstate. What will you do?
Choose right now to show love fervently. Make the decision in advance when you encounter the weaknesses, sins, and vulnerabilities of other people you are going to say...."I got you covered!"
