Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 NIV
I remember the day I was challenged with the verse
: Love each other deeply.
My first thought was: That can't be in the Bible. Surely, they must be adding to it.
I mean...I've read the Bible. All of it. A lot. And I get love. Sure. Love others. Forgive. Be kind. Love.
But love each other deeply? That I wasn't so sure of. That kind of love sounded scary....and painful.
And I realized something: that kind of love, I had no idea about.
What kind of love?
The kind of love that's real. The kind of love that's abiding. The kind of love that's pursuing. The kind of love that's unconditional.
The kind of love that says: I love you no matter what.
The kind of love that says: I don't have to agree with you to love you.
The kind of love that says: Even if you choose to reject me, I will still choose to honor you.
The kind of love that Jesus modeled. The kind of love that Jesus was. The kind of love that Jesus is.
And as I sit here today, I look back. I look back and rejoice. Rejoice at how far I've come - and how far I've yet to go.
Why? Because it's worth it!
Even when it's scary. Even when it's painful. It's worth it!
Worth it to learn to love. Worth it to learn to forgive. Worth it to learn to truly live.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 NIV
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 NIV
