Thoughts from Sunday…on Monday: Loving Family

At the suggestion of a beautiful woman (which don’t always pan out, but this was an exceptionally beautiful woman, so it’s fine) I have decided to start a new series called “Thoughts from Sunday….on Monday.” In this series I will give brief thoughts from my experiences on the previous Sunday. Should spark some interesting discussion.

Yesterday I gave testimony in our local body of believers, more like an admonishment really, on the importance of showing love to family members even when they do things that are wrong or hurtful. I was so inspired by the thought that I proceeded to preach a “sermonette” on the topic to the residents of Green Acres Nursing Home later that afternoon.

Sometimes our family members do things that disappoint us. Sometimes they do things we disagree with. And sometimes they can be down right hurtful and unloving. However, it is still a fact that they are family, and sometimes you just love your family in spite of their hurtful or unwise or even sinful behavior. You just do that with family, because that is what families do. They love you, warts and all. (In this discussion, “love” is closely related to “forgiveness.”) 

In times when our loved ones hurt us or make sinful decisions it is helpful to remember Scriptures such as these:

Ephesians 4:2-3 – With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Proverbs 10:12 – Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

1 Peter 4:7-8 – But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. [emphasis mine]

These Scriptures remind us that showing charity (i.e. love) means sometimes forbearing with one another in patience. Forbearance is not necessary when you have a group of righteous people. It is because we all struggle with unrighteous behavior and beliefs that forbearance is required.

Sometimes love must “cover” a multitude of sins. I’m not talking about ignoring sin of course, or letting it pass by unchecked. Sometimes love must confront sin. But there are many times when someone does something wrong, and there is nothing left to do but forgive them and move on. (This is applied differently when someone is in a position of authority. It is then their responsibility to deal with the sin in a meek and godly manner.)

And notice that Peter does not speak of any old love, but admonishes us, even commands us to have “fervent” love for one another. You could say this also as “enthusiastic” or maybe “passionate” love. And he also points out that this should be the pursuit that we put above all others. “Above all things…” he says. Especially considering the days in which we live.

Friends, this applies to your immediate family, your extended family, and also to your church family. Your brothers and sisters in Christ. To be properly exegetical, Christians are the specific group that Paul and Peter are addressing.

This is my admonishment to us all. Next time we are slighted, offended, or disappointed…remember that in godly families, we sometimes show love by forgiving a brother’s wrong, and trust God to show that wrong to him.

‘Cause that’s what families do.