Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. ~Proverbs 10:12
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ~Galatians 6:1-3
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. ~James 2:12-13
Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ~1 Peter 4:7
We are given a contrast today that we are all too familiar with. We are given the end result of hate and love. We all know that God’s way, is the way of love. Hate breeds quarrels, as we all know. James says it like this: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:1-3) Can you hear the way James was accusing his listeners of being consumed with selfish “me, me, me,” thinking? How do most humans feel when they are thwarted in their desires? Answer, angry! We don’t like not having our way.
Satan loves it when we are frustrated, especially if we are frustrated because of someone else getting in our way. He enjoys fanning that flame of dissention into full blown noncooperation whenever possible. Big battles are fun for him, but the more mini battles he can create, especially in the church, that is what he thrives on. He is intent on preventing us from experiencing or expressing otherish love.
He eggs us on, getting us to think about ourselves and how we were slighted, ignored or unappreciated. All that is kindling for the fire of dissention that, if not put out, can burn the place down. Our world is divided because of this type of thinking. Our country is divided politically on this basis. Even families are torn apart because of unforgiveness and individuals demanding their rights over love.
Remember though that Paul said, “let me show you a better way.” (1 Cor.12:31B) Then Paul goes on to talk about love with one of the points of love being, “It keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Cor. 13:5B) Which is another way of saying, “It covers over all wrongs.
Those of us who have been hurt pretty badly by family members or members of a congregation, may be getting pretty frustrated right now, thinking that I’m going to tell you to sweep the hurt, or wrong, under the rug, pretend it didn’t happen and just keep saying, “I’m okay.” If that is your concern, please stop going there and let me finish. Love does not mean ignoring those things, but it does call us to approach them as our brother Christ would counsel, not as satan would encourage us to do.
I believe that the advice given by James, Paul and Peter above, is good guidance for us in how to deal with contentious circumstances. First of all, it’s common for us to see ourselves as the victim. Sometimes, we really are the victim of someone else’s sinful behavior, but there are times when we take the victim position so that we don’t have to change, only they do. James, however, advises us to remember that, at the foot of the cross, we are all guilty and we will all be judged. Peter advises us to be clear minded, to try to think objectively about our situation. Are we praying about it: not necessarily praying for God’s wrath to come on the other person, but for truth? Is there any way in which we also bear some responsibility?
Then, there are those around us whom we should be able to call upon for help. Paul calls the witnesses to gently restore sinners, and bear with one another, but not ignore the bad behavior. We need to hold each other accountable to the standard set by Christ. Do not be tempted to think better of yourself over those who are having an issue getting along because it isn’t your problem, but walk humbly to help, as Christ.
Finally, there is Christ and there is Calvary. At the foot of the cross, we are all offenders, but at Calvary, we do not see Him demanding His right to be angry for all we have broken and stolen. He is not denying our sin or ignoring it, but in love, He is covering it with His blood. Where would we be if Jesus had chosen the world’s way of demanding rights that can build to hatred? He has that right you know, but instead, He has chosen to keep no record of wrong, to make it right between us so that our relationship with Him could be restored if we are interested. How can we disarm and love like that, following Christ’s example?
“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of Summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” and You forgave the guilt of my sin; Selah!” (Psalm 32:1-5)
Prayer: Thank You Lord for Your love that covers all my sins. I pray that I will be that kind of loving in all my relationships. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Song: Calvary Covers It All
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ~Galatians 6:1-3
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. ~James 2:12-13
Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ~1 Peter 4:7
We are given a contrast today that we are all too familiar with. We are given the end result of hate and love. We all know that God’s way, is the way of love. Hate breeds quarrels, as we all know. James says it like this: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:1-3) Can you hear the way James was accusing his listeners of being consumed with selfish “me, me, me,” thinking? How do most humans feel when they are thwarted in their desires? Answer, angry! We don’t like not having our way.
Satan loves it when we are frustrated, especially if we are frustrated because of someone else getting in our way. He enjoys fanning that flame of dissention into full blown noncooperation whenever possible. Big battles are fun for him, but the more mini battles he can create, especially in the church, that is what he thrives on. He is intent on preventing us from experiencing or expressing otherish love.
He eggs us on, getting us to think about ourselves and how we were slighted, ignored or unappreciated. All that is kindling for the fire of dissention that, if not put out, can burn the place down. Our world is divided because of this type of thinking. Our country is divided politically on this basis. Even families are torn apart because of unforgiveness and individuals demanding their rights over love.
Remember though that Paul said, “let me show you a better way.” (1 Cor.12:31B) Then Paul goes on to talk about love with one of the points of love being, “It keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Cor. 13:5B) Which is another way of saying, “It covers over all wrongs.
Those of us who have been hurt pretty badly by family members or members of a congregation, may be getting pretty frustrated right now, thinking that I’m going to tell you to sweep the hurt, or wrong, under the rug, pretend it didn’t happen and just keep saying, “I’m okay.” If that is your concern, please stop going there and let me finish. Love does not mean ignoring those things, but it does call us to approach them as our brother Christ would counsel, not as satan would encourage us to do.
I believe that the advice given by James, Paul and Peter above, is good guidance for us in how to deal with contentious circumstances. First of all, it’s common for us to see ourselves as the victim. Sometimes, we really are the victim of someone else’s sinful behavior, but there are times when we take the victim position so that we don’t have to change, only they do. James, however, advises us to remember that, at the foot of the cross, we are all guilty and we will all be judged. Peter advises us to be clear minded, to try to think objectively about our situation. Are we praying about it: not necessarily praying for God’s wrath to come on the other person, but for truth? Is there any way in which we also bear some responsibility?
Then, there are those around us whom we should be able to call upon for help. Paul calls the witnesses to gently restore sinners, and bear with one another, but not ignore the bad behavior. We need to hold each other accountable to the standard set by Christ. Do not be tempted to think better of yourself over those who are having an issue getting along because it isn’t your problem, but walk humbly to help, as Christ.
Finally, there is Christ and there is Calvary. At the foot of the cross, we are all offenders, but at Calvary, we do not see Him demanding His right to be angry for all we have broken and stolen. He is not denying our sin or ignoring it, but in love, He is covering it with His blood. Where would we be if Jesus had chosen the world’s way of demanding rights that can build to hatred? He has that right you know, but instead, He has chosen to keep no record of wrong, to make it right between us so that our relationship with Him could be restored if we are interested. How can we disarm and love like that, following Christ’s example?
“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of Summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” and You forgave the guilt of my sin; Selah!” (Psalm 32:1-5)
Prayer: Thank You Lord for Your love that covers all my sins. I pray that I will be that kind of loving in all my relationships. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Song: Calvary Covers It All
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