1 Peter 4:8 [New Living Translation]

 ‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.’

DAILY READING        John 18:19-38; 2 Chronicles 27-28; Psalm 84 

For thousands of years, Pearls have long been used as jewellery items by humans. Pearls compare in value to diamonds and other precious stones.  However it is interesting how they are formed. Pearls are the only gem created by a living creature. A pearl is formed when a single grain of sand creeps inside an oyster and lodges itself in its tissue. If not removed, that tiny particle of sand can cause severe damage to the tender mollusk of the oyster. The particle of sand is an irritant which causes the oyster to produce a lacquer-like substance called nacre. The oyster secretes the nacre over the irritating sand as a way of protecting itself from the sharp edges of the granule. Those smooth layers of nacre coat the sand granule, eventually sealing off the irritation and forming a gorgeous pearl. 

In the same way, we often have irritants in our lives, people or situations that irritate or offend us 

In Mathew 18:7 Jesus said ‘For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes.’ In other words Jesus  is telling us such offending or irritating situations are inevitable.  

Indeed in the journey of life, hurtful things may happen to us. People will let us down, break their promises, say things that hurt, and treat us unfairly. If we allow these offences to lodge in our hearts, it can keep us from God’s best. But like the oyster we must seek to cover the irritation so that it does not damage our hearts. When we refuse to allow that irritation or offence to be embedded in us, then what was meant to hurt us God can turn it into beautiful pearls of blessings in our lives. We insulate ourselves from the damage of offenses by releasing love. 

1 Peter 4:8 [New Living Translation] says ‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.’ The love we continually release can protect our hearts from the damaging effect of unforgiveness.  

We are to bless those who curse us and pray for those who spitefully use us. Romans 12: 21 tells us not to be  overcome by evil, but rather to overcome evil with good.

The truth is that God has shown us the example of how to love. Despite the times we have sinned against Him, He has freely given us His grace, forgiving and covering all our failures and all our mistakes. No matter how many times we fail and mess up, God never gives up on us. He is patient and His love will never run out. And as we have freely received His love so also we freely release to others. God blesses us so that we can spread the blessing.

1 John 4:11-12 says ‘Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.’ 

When we can love people despite their faults or wrong doings, it is evident that The Holy Spirit dwells in us.  Because He is the one that sheds abroad the love of God in our hearts. Every time we decide to forgive people, it is like covering that offense with a beautiful layer of love.  And because a man reaps what he sows, when we release love in the place of hurt, then we are sowing good seeds from which we will reap beautiful pearls of blessings.  

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to manifest Your love wherever I go. No matter the offences or irritations that may come my way,  grant me the grace to continually release Your love rather than being offended in Jesus Name. 

QUOTE : 

Your attitude always determines  your altitude in life. -WORDBITE 222. 

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