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If Love Is To Cover A Multitude of Sins 1 Peter 4.8 Introduction: Babies are sometimes born imperfect. Some are birth marks, others physical deformity, what would you do with such a child? A mother one time refused to look at her baby because it had a birth mark. People are not perfect. We all have problems, temperament, prejudice, etc. This is not intended to excuse our imperfections but to realize we have them. I) 1 Peter 4.8 & Proverbs 10.12 A) Point of contrast between the way of godless living and Christian living 1. Above all things have fervent love among yourselves. 2. To be sincerely interest in the welfare of our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. a. Fervent means – earnest, to keep love constant, to love at full strength B) Love shall cover a multitude of sins (To cover up, not to regard, to pardon) 1. God’s terms of forgiveness is not under consideration. Sins are not ignored, Galatians 6.1 a. Not to be used as an excuse for our sins or to circumvent God’s law. b. Unfortunately some believe just love one another and forget the law 2. This is speaking of how we deal with one another. The Christian is able through love to look beyond the sins of others in order to be diligent in doing good for their own welfare. II) Can Not Pick On the Weak Spots A) Wild geese and ducks fly in the V formation 1. Why? a. They can travel further in a group them alone b. Protect the weak and hurt; they fly in the best places 2. If one drops out another will go with it until it either dies or gets better and then they will try to catch up to the pack. B) Chickens and turkeys are not like geese 1. They will pick at each other 2. If one gets a spot or blemish on it, the others will peck it to death. 3. Are you a goose or a turkey? C) We are not to be childish, 1 Corinthians 13.11 1. Children make fun of somebody that is different. In dress, speech, mannerism, etc. 2. They will gang up on a child and ridicule it III) We Must Understand – No One Is Perfect A) Perfect – mature and striving to be like Christ, Matthew 5.48 1. No one is without fault, sinless 2. There is room for growth in all, Phil. 3.12,15 B) Do we demand total perfectionism? 1. All should be trying to grow and become more Christ like 2. I know of no one that can say I have obtained that level C) We are often irritated b our own faults in others (Messiness, indecision, etc) 1. Girls that can not play together are often "too much alike" 2. A little league coach in explaining his success said it is the "good throw" mentality (Rick Pitino – reward the positive) IV) We Have Got To Let God Be The Judge A) Let His word judge us and others, John 12.48 1. Realize the difference between faith and opinion, Romans 14 speaks of those two a. Have known of brethren that act as if their opinion is the faith 2. Brethren divide into factions B) Too much speculation on what the Bible does not say, 2 Timothy 2.23; 4.3 1. Lowell Blasingame made a point that really stuck with me. The problem is not over what the Bible says but what it does not say. 2. Our job is not to answer every question for some questions are either foolish or not for us but God to answer. V) We Must Allow People To Be Different A) The church of the first century was diverse 1. Jews, Gentiles, Hellenist, Zealots, etc. 2. They were different members of the same body, 1 Corinthians 12.13 B) Today we are different 1. Not everyone is going to be just like you or me 2. We can have different ideas and different ways of saying the same thing. VI) Be On Guard Less We Fall Into Trivial Pursuit A) I am amazed at how we can get upset over trivial things 0 lid on toothpaste, taste in music, 1. Our favorite translation of the Bible; best time to meet on Sunday, Matthew 23.24 2. See above point on picking at one another VII) Be Patient and Kind, 1 Corinthians 13.4 A) How much is enough? 1. Man’s daughter got pregnant. How would you have handled it? 2. Think of the prodigal some B) Have you ever had a child to run away from home? 1. They leave the lights on, the door unlocked 2. They want their child to return VIII) Look For the Good In People A) We are to strive for peace, Romans 12.18 1. Have to want to love people? 2. What is it like being real? The question was asked of a stuffed animal. Hard to be dropped, pulled on, buttons come lose and fall off, but it is worth it all to be loved. A stuffed animal that stays clean and perfect is never touched. Conclusion: Story of Terry Howard- a man that was close to being perfect for one season. He made about 40 free throws in a roll. In Louisville’s game against UCLA in the semi-finals in 1975 he was fouled. If he makes one shot the game is over. He missed and UCLA wound up winning the game. What he would have given to have been able to take that shot again? We are not perfect either. Thankfully we can have forgiveness of our sins by obeying the Gospel. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 09.02.07 |