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Deep Love

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 NIV)

I’m quite sure that this is not saying that love overlooks sin. Love sees sin, then covers it—in this case, lots of them, “a multitude of sins.” We know that this is true of the love of God, but is it true of us? The imperative is directed toward us¾“love each other deeply.” I think it must be true of us. 1 Corinthians tells us that love…

…keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV)

The opposite of covering sins may be keeping a record of them.

“Love each other deeply.” “Deeply” has to do with the quality of the cover. Perhaps deep love provides deep cover as in Micah 7:19:

You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. (NIV)

This cover is not speaking of our own sins, but of others’ sins, for two reasons:

1) Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (NIV)

2) 1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

This love is the love that forgives others. Let us love each other deeply, regardless of the quantity or quality of sins committed. Love covers. Love forgives.

(An excerpt from On Being a Christian by Jim Wilson)

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