This Weeks Chapters: 1 Pet 4 - 2 Pet 3
Pastor Matt Beemer
1Pe 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
There are at least four times in the New Testament that a similar expression is used when Peter says, ‘the end of all things is at hand’. Three further examples are:
Paul said, ‘brethren, the time is short’ (I Cor 7:29),
James said, ’the coming of the Lord is at hand’ (James 5:8)
John said, ‘the time is near’ (Rev 1:3).
In all four of these accounts the writers provide us what I call, an ‘End Time Handbook’. In these ‘End Time Handbooks’, the writers list important instructions necessary for the church to navigate the last days before Jesus returns.
Of all the items listed in the four passages, Peter says, ABOVE ALL we should have fervent (white-hot) love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. The only way we will accomplish God’s destiny for our lives, our local churches, and for The Global Church, is to allow a white-hot fervent – Agape - love to govern our lives.
Peter then explains this God-kind of love covers a multitude of sins. The Bible describes Satan as the ‘accuser of the brethren’ (Rev. 12:10). He, the Bible continues, ‘accuses… day and night’. In complete contrast is Jesus who – while we were unlovely loved us and gave His life for us (Eph. 2:1-5).
Love covers a multitude of sins! When we are judgemental, accusative, or condemning, we are siding in with ‘The Accuser’. When we work to protect our brothers and sisters – even in their faults – we are siding in with the Character of God. Seek to be a restorer, not an Accuser!
A Word Study: In verse eight there are three key words:
Cover: Gr: Kalupto (kal-oop'-to) means to ‘to cover up, cover, hide’.
Multitude: Gr: Plethos (play'-thos) is where we get one of my favourite words- ‘Plethora’ and as used in this verse literally means ‘a fullness, i.e. a large number, throng, bundle, multitude.’
Sins: Gr: Hamartia (ham-ar-tee'-ah) which means ‘to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin:--for your faults, offend, sin, trespass’. 
So Peter is saying that when our Brothers and Sisters miss the mark in a large number of ways, we should seek to cover over their faults. Instead many Christians can be heard saying, ‘Did you hear what sister so and so did’… or, ‘did you hear what Pastor so and so did’. When we are exposing and spreading the ‘faults’ of others we are not living according to Peter’s End Time handbook. According to Paul, a failure to restore those who have made a ‘bundle of offences’, is actually a commentary on our own spiritual maturity:
Galatians 6:1 says: Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness,
Action: Let’s make a determination to ‘ABOVE ALL THINGS’, walk in a white-hot, Agape love toward our fellow believers, working to cover over their faults. In doing so, we will show ourselves spiritual and position ourselves for the soon return of the Lord.
Breathing Daily with God is an opportunity for the Pastors to share their thoughts on the chapters we have been reading in our daily bible reading plan.Email this to a friend | Add A Comment | Bookmark | Subscribe
7 Comments So Far
- Pastor Alan That's right, we need to cover each other. It is so easy to let judgemental attitudes to creep in but whenever we remember how much we are forgiven, how much we need mercy then we can extend that same mercy to others.
- saeed to; pastor matt HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAVE A GOOD DAY . GOD BLESS YOU . SAEED.YASAMAN
- mathew AMEN AMEN have to keep that right relationship with people ! Have to be a doer of the Word and show forth the Love of GOD !
- Ben Amen, and a Happy birthday to you PM.
- jane fern Happy Birthday Pastor Matt - hope you had a really special day.
- Alex and Barry Hello Pastor Matt,
- Pastor Matt Thank you everyone for your kind Birthday wishes!!! Can't wait to see everyone in a few days!
I'm glad you cover my mistakes. It keeps us in right relationship and allows our church to develop. You are a great example & inspiration.
Love conquers all!!
posted November 20, 2008 at 07:44 AM
posted November 20, 2008 at 01:39 PM
and by the way pastor Matt
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you
u dont look a day over 21 LOL LOL LOL
( its the 20th Nov as i write this ! ! ! )
posted November 20, 2008 at 05:55 PM
posted November 20, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Love the The
Ferns
posted November 24, 2008 at 04:47 AM
A belated Happy Birthday to you!!!!!
May God give you all your heart's desires and open all doors to this wonderful Ministry He has for you =)
He is Faithful!
posted November 24, 2008 at 12:54 PM
posted November 25, 2008 at 09:38 PM
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