Pastor's Power Points

Love Covers All Offenses

Approached superficially, such a statement can be severely abused. One may have flashbacks of Woodstock, or could understand this to be the motto of today’s relativism – “it doesn’t matter how you act or what you believe, let’s just all get along.” But understood in the context of the revealed character and purpose of God, the above statement implies profound expectations for human behavior that reflect a presence of the divine.

 The word offenses, also translated “transgressions” or “sins” means a breach of relationship.  When confronted with biblical, godly love – self-sacrifice for the benefit of another – we find an avenue for peace and community instead of having to resort to hostility and division.  The supreme example is God’s love for us in Christ. His love (sacrifice) covered our transgression (breach of relationship) so we can be reconciled.

Bringing it practically into our day-to-day, it is no different with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.  The faults of others can, at times, be overlooked when we view them through God’s eyes and we live up to our calling of obedience (I Pet. 4:8).  Having caught him asleep and vulnerable, David could have retaliated against Saul but did not. David was obedient to God’s law from the integrity of his heart and said: “see that there is neither evil for rebellion [breach of relationship] in my hand” (I Sam. 24:11). Because another breaks relationship does not warrant you to reciprocate. When you are ready and willing to forgive and overlook the faults of others then you can be justified in desiring others to forgive and overlook your own faults.

 Make no mistake; love does not end at just overlooking. James clarifies: “he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will… cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).  Love is remedy. Love is restraint before the breach of relationship is executed. To turn a sinner from the error of his way is love. This also defines Christ’s love for us.  Which parent would casually observe his/her child wander off the sidewalk into the busy street without remedy and call it love?  To casually observe any fellow human proceed into self-destructive behavior and not offer remedy (warning, instruction, correction) is not love.

 Albert Barnes explains it well: “Make kind to the imperfection of others.” Such is the love of God toward us.  The whole of Prov. 10:12 presents a clear contrast. Strife is stirred by hate – that is quite self-evident. While hate is intent on exposing the faults of others, love initiates compassion. Hate is bent on criticism; love’s focus is remedy because, as with God, relationship is desired.