LOVE COVERS
28th Aug 2019
I have been reading a book by Kenneth Hagin about Love; I found it stimulating, challenging and very encouraging. I began to see afresh that the moment we receive new life in Jesus, supernatural love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5) This “God kind of love” effects every part of our lives and enables us to live in a totally new way.
Romans 13:10 says, “Love does no harm to its neighbour.” In a world where there is so much antagonism, even among believers, we are called to bless those who curse us, and pray for those who despitefully use us. There are some amazing examples in the book where Kenneth acts with great love and grace in the face of criticism and ungodly behaviour.
This quality of love will always forgive and not hold grudges. 1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Not only do we forgive those who sin against us, but we cover that sin and don’t keep hold of it.
We are all familiar with 1 Corinthians 13, but as I have re-read this chapter some of these characteristics of love have struck me in a new way. “Love keeps no records of wrongs.” When God forgives us, he forgets what we have done - “your sins and iniquities I will remember no more.” (Isaiah 43:25) So when we forgive others, let’s ask God to remove it from our memory, so that we will never speak of it again.
“Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” God’s love in us is always seeking to look after others, protect them, be compassionate towards their weaknesses and failures. It believes in them and encourages them to hope and persevere.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgive you.”
When I picked up the book, I thought I had a good grasp of the subject, but having read it was challenged to live the “God kind of love” in a new way.
by Charles Sibthorpe
