Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Notice the above verse as compared to the following verse in the Old Testament book of Proverbs:
Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Solomon tells us it is glorious to overlook an offense, while Peter tells us the catalyst that enables us to over look the offense is the love of God springing forth in our hearts. James has already told the church that faith without works is a dead form of faith. In the above verse real faith is demonstrated by overlooking how someone might have offended you. Imagine that - overlooking how someone might have offended you because of love. What would happen to our culture today if we were to overlook an offense that was done against us. Obviously, the world does not have God’s love, so we should not expect them to overlook an offense. But, what of the church? Should not those of the Body of Christ practice this truth? Should not we, in the world, practice what Peter is telling us? The answer to those questions is, yes! We should be the first to practice this truth. That does not mean that we let someone walk around offending and harming and doing bad things. Notice what Paul states in his letter to the Galatians:
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.
The New Testament church was not unlike our own. They had to find a way to both practice Christ’s love (by overlooking offenses done against them), but also helping others grow and correct their behavior when the offense was against God. That is the difference. I am not overlook an offense toward me, but I am to help my brother/sister in Christ when I see in their life an offense against God. If we but practiced this truth, imagine how the world might respond. However, the church is not practicing this truth. In fact, in some sectors, the church is leading the offense by not overlooking a matter, but by becoming obsessed with an offense committed against them. Is it any wonder that the church has little power in the world today?
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