The Mirror of the Word by C.E. White can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Word-Devotions-Reveal-Refine/dp/B0DFZS83C7  To learn more about this author and other words, visit https://cewhitebooks.com/

“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

—1 Peter 4:8

The church has largely lost the concept of fervent love for one another, but this wasn’t a casual request. Peter says we’re to love fervently “above all.” He’s not forgotten that the greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36–40).

We often think this fervent love will require too much of us or be too invasive. Sometimes, we’re just plain scared because fervent love requires truly knowing and being known. We may either be afraid to reach out or afraid others won’t like us once they really know us. 

But fervent love also “covers a multitude of sins” both on the giving and the receiving end. 

If we’re fervently loving, we will be obediently forgiving others as God has forgiven us even where offense has been done (Matthew 6:12–15). And if others are fervently loving us, we will not be easily provoked at the smallest slights nor allow misunderstandings to fuel conflict (1 Corinthians 13:5). We will trust that since we see them loving us well in other ways, they didn’t mean to hurt us. 

“Fervent” means unceasing, intent, and earnest; this is not a halfway action. It requires that we step outside of our comfort zones and stop keeping each other at arm’s length. It’s not always easy, just like loving the members of our family is not always easy. 

It may require some of our deepest sacrifice, but it may also open us up to some of our greatest blessings. Others need us, but we also need them. 

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