Love Wins - 1 Peter 4:8

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

This is one of my favorite verses in the New Testament. Being a dour Scottish Calvinistic Presbyterian, I often feel that my depravity, according to both Calvin & John Knox, contaminates my faith and deeply separates me from God. Even though I’m a pastor, I feel miserable about my sins and regret many past mistakes. If it wasn’t for Christ’s love and God’s grace, I doubt that I’d ever feel good about myself, but thankfully, the power of love has the ability to overcome my misery and restore me to God’s favor. Or as the Apostle Peter simply put it: love covers over a multitude of sins.

Perhaps you’re feeling bad about your past or weighed down by a mistake you’ve made. Maybe you feel disconnected to God and not good enough for His love. Please don’t despair – God’s love is the greatest power in the entire universe. You can be loved by God; you will be forgiven and you definitely can start over again. How? – because love covers over a multitude of sins – even those that you have committed.

Application: Forget the past, live in this moment of God’s grace and receive Christ’s love every day for the rest of your life. 😊

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the greatest gift in all of our lives – the love of God that You purchased for us on the Cross. Help us this day to share this amazing love with all whom we meet. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s psalm drawings based on Psalm 73. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Psalm 73.

Love Covers Poem

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. (NIV)

There is no hatred dark enough

To take away the light;

There is no falsehood loud enough

To silence what is right.

Spiteful men may try again

To hush our faithful songs,

But Christ prevails and never fails;

Love covers all our wrongs.

Love covers all our wrongs.

© John Stuart 2019

One Minute Message - Love Wins

Love Wins

Hebrews 9:28 Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. (NIV)

Without Jesus redeeming us, we would remain unforgiven. Without Christ’s supreme sacrifice, we would be separated from God forever. His commitment to our salvation cost Him everything, so our devotion to His life is worth more than anything. We wait for Him because He won all for us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, take away our sins and save us for God’s Kingdom. Amen.

Amazing Grace (Revised)

Amazing Grace (Revised)

An act of grace, knees on the ground

That shows their dignity.

We all are lost and need re-found

We’re blind to what we see.

‘Twas hate that caused our hearts to fear,

And made those fears believed;

How furious did that hate appear,

When we were first deceived.

This hateful anger spoils our cares

No matter where it’s from;

It’s hate that causes us to fear,

And hate destroys our home.

The Law has promised rights to me,

Its Word my life secures;

It will protect and keep me free

Wherever Love endures.

O we’ve been here ten thousand times,

And nothing still is done,

We’ve no less ways to heal each race,

And make us all as One.

Amazing Grace! How sweet it is,

When we shall all be free.

When hate and fear are nowhere near,

And Love wins you and me!

© John Stuart 2017