Love Covers!

Happy Sunday to all. Waine and I are happy to be in Atlanta among all of our familiar memories. It is a rare treat now that we are able to squirrel away to Atlanta. The flowers in Atlanta are in full bloom. We were able too dine in one of our more favorite restaurants, Niko Bistro. If you are in Atlanta you should try it. We also went to worship at our former church home, Providence Missionary Baptist Church. They have a new young minister and a lot of the members who left have come back. I think God is going to take care of the church.

 

I am continuing my journey with Peter, 1 Peter 4, verses 1-19 "Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.  As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.  For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.  They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  And, if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?  So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. Amen and may God add a blessing to the reading and hearing of His Holy Word.

 

What an awesome concept. Love Covers!! Christ Covers!! Because Christ loves us He made the ultimate sacrifice out of Love for past, present and future generations of humans who continue to be fashioned in the image of the Creator. When we sin, since Christ has already made the sacrifice, He stands in our stead in front of God the Father and what God sees is the Perfect Love of Christ. What an awesome thought! The Love of Christ covers all of our faults.  So why is it that some Christians determine that they cannot cover the faults of others, especially fellow Christians. There are those of us who profess to have a faith  in God and never cover the faults of others. They are score keepers. Remember the servant who owed his master a $1 million dollars. When the Master was going to put him in jail, the servant pleaded with the master for mercy and the master forgave the servant. When the servant's friend failed to reimburse this silly man his $10.00, this silly man put his friend in jail. Truly this servant neither understood grace or mercy, so was put in prison by his master. Likewise as Christians, if we cannot forgive and cover the faults of others, when our sins have been wiped clean our Master in Heaven is grieved by our childish behavior. We can never repay the debt that has been wiped clean by our Savior so the least we can do is be Christ like in our willingness to forgive and think the best.

 

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

 

Stephanie