HOW DOES LOVE COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS?
James E. Farley

The Bible clearly teaches us to love all men – even our enemies (Mt. 5:44). Love (agape) is commanded (1 Jn 3:23). The apostle Peter wrote, “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (1 Pt 4:8).

How does this work? How does charity (love) cover a multitude of sins? Is it that we just love people so much that we overlook their faults and errors? Is this the way God would have us to interact one with another? Is this real Bible love? NO! A thousand times... NO!

The inspired James has something to say along these lines. He writes, “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” (Jas 5:19-20). There it is! There is how love covers a multitude of sins! We love people enough to teach them, and in so doing we may have to “reprove, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tm 4:2). Sometimes it will take some reproving and rebuking to get people to see the error of their way, and real love, Bible love, will do this. It is not always a pleasant thing to do, and it sometimes can get somewhat “heated,” but do it we must if we are to follow the Meek and Lowly One! The Bible is right when it reveals, “Open rebuke is better than secret love” (Prv 27:5).

Paul wrote to the young preacher Timothy, and told him to “...charge some that they teach no other doctrine...” (1 Tim. 1:3). Can you imagine this? This young “boy preacher” was to command some folks to not teach false doctrine with its fables, endless genealogies, etc. And, Paul was careful to tell Timothy what his motive in so doing was to be. It was to be “...charity out of a pure heart...” (1 Tim. 1:5). We are indeed to be “...speaking the truth in love...” (Eph. 4:15).

If a member of the Lord's church (preacher, elder, etc.) says that he loves another, but will not rebuke that one of error in his life, he does not love him! If he will not warn the erring one of the extreme danger he is in, he does not love him! Love always sounds out a warning of danger!

There are some interesting and convicting words found in the third chapter of Ezekiel, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul” (Ezek. 3:17-21).

These words from God's Holy Book are strong indeed, and should cause each of us to examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5) to see whether we are doing all we can to help those overcome with sin and error. There is coming a Great Judgment Day when we will all have to give an account of what we have or have not done (Compare 2 Cor. 5:10-11; James 4:17).

Lest anyone should refer to Ezekiel 3 and say, “Oh, that's from the Old Testament...We're under the New Testament today...” I encourage you to turn your Bible to Acts 18:6 where Paul spoke to those unbelieving Jews, and said, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” Then turn over and read Paul's words to the elders from Ephesus, “And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:25-27). Both of these are direct references to the Old Testament passage in Ezekiel chapter three. Paul went on to say, “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31).
 
Oh yes my brethren, real love does cover a multitude of sins, when we preach, teach and warn people of their error, and exhort them to repent before it is everlastingly too late! Preachers, elders, we have a special interest in this kind of work. Preachers are simply heralds for King Jesus, and must be faithful in proclaiming the whole counsel of God (2 Tim. 4:1-5). This means we are to warn folks of danger. Souls are at stake; hell is real! Elders are watchers for the souls of the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made them overseers (Acts 20:28-30; Heb. 13:17). Many are allowing sincere and honest souls to march on toward a devil's hell with smiles on their faces, because they do not love these souls enough to warn them of danger.
 

Family Bulletin Board

Remember in prayer and with cards, phone calls, or visits those who have chronic illnesses: Delsie Bishop, Reva Brewer, Ella Brumitt, Eloise Deaton, Jamie Farmer, Francis Ferren, Elizabeth Fowler, Savannah Green, Lola Mae Hamlett, Louise Hunt, and Edith Lechenet.

TODAY:
4:00pm - Shaya Pethe and Angie Sumners are hosting a baby shower for Kristy Pennington (Morgan). All the ladies are invited.
4:30pm – Elementary Youth Group will meet here at the Building
Following this evening’s service there will be a Farewell Get-together for Arretta Sayle. Bring your favorite finger foods. Please join us.

SERVING IN AUGUST :
Potluck help - Saundra Morgan & Shaya Pethe
Communion and baptismal garment care - Erma Crossman
Ushers - Mike Pethe & Derrick Webb

MARK YOUR CALENDERS:
August 16th - Congregational Picnic
September 6th - Pork Roast
September 7th - 8th - Gospel Meeting

AUGUST calendars are on the table in the foyer.