DIVINE INSPIRATIONS

First Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” In what way does love cover sin? To “cover” sin is to forgive it, and forgiveness is associated with love. The best example of a love that covers sin is Jesus’ sacrificial death on our behalf. Jesus’ prayer from the cross, “Father, forgive them,” says it all (Luke 23:34). Jesus’ bearing of our iniquities was an undeniable act of love (Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10). In fact, Jesus did more than just cover our sin; He did away with it completely (Hebrews 10:12–14). In 1 Peter 4:8 the apostle is talking about interpersonal relationships. As believers we reflect the love of God by forgiving others. Jesus told His disciples, “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

FEBRUARY 16, 2018|IN BLOG POST, 2018|BY RYAN RUFUS I’m sure you are familiar with Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace”. Recently I have been ministering to someone who grew up being taught this scripture in a very religious way which resulted in terrible depression, and more recently becoming very suicidal. He was taught that if you don’t have dominion over sin then you are not in God’s grace and are not saved. He was told if you died with sin in your life then you are going to hell. The religious angle which makes this so deceptive and destructive is that “sin won’t have dominion over you if you are in grace, therefore if sin is having dominion over you then you are not in grace.” This is absolutely not what this scripture is saying and to teach it like this is to bring bondage and death. This teaching kills believers slowly, and in the case of my new friend almost drove him to the point of taking his own life. Thank