Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:8, “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

I was meditating on this text, and the question came to mind. From whose perspective are the sins covered by love, the one who sinned or the one who was sinned against?

I believe that the answer is, both. When we love, we can cover and forgive the sins of those who sinned against us. Also, when we sin, our love can cover our sins, leading us to apologize, repent, and allow the one against whom we sinned, to forgive us.

The ultimate demonstration of this is that the love God showed us through Jesus Christ covers our sins, and the love we have for Him leads us to repent and receive that gift of God’s love.

Dear Lord, your love for us covers our sins and saves us. Help us remember to accept your love and share it with others and cover the multitude of sins with it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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One of the challenges I have, and you may have too, is thinking, though incorrectly, that it is my job to “convert” people into believers.

Fortunately, our job is not to “convert,” people, it is sharing the Word, the Good News of Salvation that comes to those who believe, and leaving the Holy spirit to work in their hearts.

Paul tells us in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” and in Ephesians 2:8 he says, “by grace we are saved through faith,” and in 1 Corinthians 12:3, “…and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.”

We share the word. The Holy Spirit does the “converting.”

Dear Lord, Help us remember that you are the Savior, we are the witnesses. Give us the strength and wisdom to share your word so the Holy Spirit can bring your saving grace to those who hear. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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One of the key principles of success is knowing what you are trying to accomplish. Whether it is getting an A on a test, achieving a sales goal, or winning a sporting event, starting with an objective is part of the process.

In some ways this is how God expects us to approach Him. In Matthew 8 Jesus tells the Centurion, “let it be done as you have believed,” and in Matthew 9 Jesus’ asks the blind man if he believes Jesus can make him see, before he heals him.

There are a number of instances like this in the Bible, with God teaching us that we should be ready to receive.

Psalm 81:10 says, “For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.”

It is quite clear to me from these and other texts, that our part in receiving from God is believing he has the power to provide us anything we can imagine, if he chooses. If we don’t believe He can, we are not doing our part.

Dear Lord, You have control over all things. Help us remember your awesome power, and not let our lack of belief limit Your work in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Ephesians 4:24, “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy”

What comes to mind when you think about what it is to be “like God?” Is it the perfectly behaving, boring, judgmental, Christian character from some TV situation comedy?

Actually the stories of Jesus, who is our model of God as human, show that he was nothing like that stereotype. He was humble, controversial, and intelligent but primarily the distinguishing characteristic is his love; Love for all types of people, including the outcasts, lepers, and immoral in society of his time.

In contrast to the stereotype, the actual picture we should have in our minds of being “like God” is that of one who humbly loves all, especially those who seem most “un-lovable.” One who searches out those who need God’s love most.

1 John 4:16 says, “God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”

Dear Lord, Help us remember that he objective is not to make ourselves perfect for our own benefit, it is to be like you and share your love with those we can. When we do, we are becoming part of your love in the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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In Matthew 5:44 Jesus tells us to “love your enemies.”

It takes a very mature and self-controlled person to actually care about someone that he or she despises, his or her “enemy.”

Proverbs 24:17 also says, “Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble.” again, very difficult.

Proverbs 25:21-22, has a little different perspective on the effect of loving or being kind to our enemies, that is almost humorous. It says, “If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads and the Lord will reward you.”

The Bible is clear that we are not to seek revenge; God reserves that role. However, being nice to our enemies may allow us to get the same message to them but from a caring spirit, in the way God directs.

Dear Lord, thank you for the minds you have given us that allow us to overcome our feelings and forgive those who have wronged us. Give us the strength to take the more mature and higher path and love those who do us wrong. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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