Monday, April 21 - 1 Peter 4:8

You know how when you don't like a person, it seems like EVERYTHING they do is annoying? It works the other way too. When you're best friends with a person, you put up with stuff that might bother you if someone else did it. For example, that girl you don't like annoys you because she is so loud... but so is your best friend. The difference is, you LOVE your best friend, so you're able to put up with more.... Check out this verse:

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sin."

The Message says it like this: Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything.

Does this sound familiar? It echoes the words of Jesus who says that the greatest commandment, the one we should live our entire lives by is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind AND to love your neighbor as yourself. We can't say we love God if we don't TRULY love each other. They go hand in hand.

So back to 1 Peter 4:8... love covers a multitude of sins.. That means that true, real, genuine love (that is not shallow and not faking it) is able to withstand some hurts and forgive sins and overlook flaws. If you "peace out" on your friends, and cut people off as soon as you are hurt or offended, you never really loved them... it was shallow. No one likes a fake, and no one wants to be a fake, but love like that IS fake.

Here's another way to look at it... When you are hurt, fall back on the love that you have for that person... remember that love, and remember WHY it is you love them - it will give you reason and grace to forgive.

Is your "love" fragile, and your relationships easily broken? Or are you loving like your life depended on it? THAT love "makes up for practically anything," and can withstand practically anything.

Love you. Here for you.

Pastor Courtney