by Emily Wooten
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins.
These two scriptures might lead a person to think if we love someone we can overlook their bad behavior. Especially when we see where Jesus taught we should forgive 7 times 70.
Matthew 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Jesus wasn’t teaching tolerance. In his ministry Jesus clearly defined the lines of sin and spoke against it.
Mostly he shared positive lessons of things we should do instead of focusing on all the things we shouldn’t do. In John 10 he said he was the good shepherd, his sheep knew his voice and another they would not follow.
The illustration of the shepherd and his sheep shows us Gods provision and protection. No where does it suggest we can do whatever comes to mind without consequences. Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
Matthew 22:35-40 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Colossians 3:12-15 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
Mark 11:25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
While we should not think more highly than we ought about ourselves, we also find the truth that we should love God and one another. Humility is not a fake show of self-deprecation. Loving others means we genuinely look out for their well being and consider their feelings. When we are wrong we are to quickly repent and as we forgive ourselves for the bad judgment we learn ways to prevent that wrong behavior in the future. That is how we grow. Loving others helps us find grace to forgive their errors as well. Learning to discipline ourselves in these areas is pleasing to God. He is eager to give us wisdom and strength if we ask.
Learn Love Live