MARCH 17
LOVE COVERS ALL
“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him
know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a
soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)
We note the word “hide”, from the Greek word “kalupto”, meaning TO COVER. It is
also found in I Peter 4:8, “Above all things have fervent charity among
yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” While Proverbs 10:12
expands the scope, “Love covereth all sins”. Love will not leave some of the
past exposed, and then use it as a reminder that sin once ruled in that life,
but LOVE COVERS ALL. Nor, is there any sin too great to be covered, for “charity
never faileth”. (I Corinthians 13:8).
Under the old ministration of the Law there was a continual ministering of
condemnation. The more one hammered away with the law, the more guilt the people
felt when they could not measure up to its standard. And, because we are still
in a transition from the old order of the law and into the new order of the full
arrangement of the new covenant, we find that many still cling to a “law
ministry”, to “ cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew
My people their transgression”, (Isaiah 58:1). And God does use this to restrain
people from following a downward course into destruction. For to be sure, “Open
rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend,”
(Proverbs 27:5-6), and often we yet need to be awakened to our need to be
cleansed, purified, conformed to the image of Christ.
But there is also a new ministration, of His overwhelming love, “to wit, that
God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their
trespasses unto them”, (II Corinthians 5:19). Not charging them with guilt, for
we are to be a witness, not against the sinner, but for the glorious salvation
of our God freely given to ALL men.
Yes, love covers – it hides rather than exposes, it reconciles rather than
condemns, and it transforms the unlovely until it becomes radiant with the love,
which it receives, thus all things become new.
Ray Prinzing
Sister Doris Prinzing
1130 Allumbaugh St. Apt 257
Boise, Id 83704-8700
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