1 Peter 4:8 – “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” NASB

The most quoted passage concerning what love covers is the one above.  It is used in so many ways, some legitimate and some illegitimate.  Some are doctrinally sound, and some border on if they are not entirely heretical.  Some use this passage to manipulate and others to gain a second chance.  The usages are endless, but that begs the question: “What does love cover?”

Proverbs 10:12 tells us – “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.” NASB Then we read: 17:9 – “He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.”  NASB

In the classic Love Chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, we have a litany of things describing and depicting love.  We find what it is, what it does and does not do, and how it is demonstrated.  Yet, the most incredible passage on Love in the Bible is John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son….”  What greater picture of love could we obtain, and what greater example of the covering power of love?

The Book of Proverbs is a most beautiful book regarding this subject.  Let me cite a few passages to illustrate what I am talking about:

Proverbs 15:17 – “A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.”  NLT

Proverbs 17:9 – “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”  NLT

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”  NLT

The passage that causes me to sit in amazement at the intricate wisdom that flows from God’s Word is found in the thirtieth chapter of Proverbs: “There are three things that amaze me – no, four things that I don’t understand:  how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman.”  NLT

The expression that amazed me was not that a man could love a woman, but the HOW was the focus.  We find in the New Testament that a man is to love his wife as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her.  In simple terms, we are to love our wives with our lives. 

You cannot do that without being willing to “forgive” and without a desire to “bring her to total fulfillment” in her life!  In many respects, this means, sir, that you become secondary.  I am convinced that a marriage made in heaven involves both parties being so attuned to the Spirit of God that their visions and dreams are mutually compatible and complimentary!

What does love cover?  EVERYTHING!  According to 1 Corinthians 13, love is “patient, kind, free of envy, and jealousy, does not brag or boast, and is free of self-consuming pride.  It is not rude, not self-seeking, does not become easily angered, and doesn’t keep a record of wrongs.  It never delights in evil but rejoices in truth.  It ALWAYS protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. 

The final statement in the passages is that Love Never Fails!  I do not know about you, but I am so glad that we have the statement of the apostle Paul regarding God’s love toward us in Romans 8:35-39 – “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” NASB

Two things I will conclude with:

• The Agape Love of God cannot be killed or stifled.  It is Unconditional Love!
• We, filled with Him, are able to love Unconditionally!

It is a sad fact that few of us ever really learn how to love unconditionally and never get past the human Phileo, Storge, and Eros.  We have tender affection toward one another (phileo).  Most friendships are built on this type of love.  We move into the physical demonstration of affection (storge).  It is genuine affection. 

Some only know Eros.  A healthy marriage has all four types.  A healthy spiritual life has Agape, Phileo, and Storge expressed toward God and even others in Christ.  So, I suggest you examine your relationship with God, your mate, and others, see what is missing, and ask the Father to help you work on that dimension.

We have the promise from God that if we ask, He will provide.  So may God be with you as you set your heart to grow in His grace and mercy! 

Blessings as you proceed down the pathway of this experience, we call life!