The
youth minister and I were discussing sermons, specifically how long they should
be. We were both curious at how two different preachers could preach a lesson
of the same quality for the same amount of time but one would be well received and
the other criticized. As we talked, I
remarked that I knew a preacher that was known for his bouts long-windedness
but that people didn’t complain rather they were cheerfully amused. I said it was because he was such a loving part
of the lives of the congregation, a little bit of extra time on Sunday didn’t
seem that bad. His love overrode his mistakes. I don’t think that phenomenon is just related
to preachers.
We all
have foibles and flaws. We talk too
much. We forget to say “thank you”. We get lost in our own little world and ignore
others. We interrupt. We are selfish, judgmental
and just plain hard to be around (Well at least those are all true of me). But when we show love in what we do, those
flaws don’t seem that bad. The love we
have for others smooths out the bumps in own personality. That is why a spirit of love is vital not only
for a preacher but for every Christian. As
Peter puts it, in 1st Peter 4:8, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one
another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” You and I will never be perfect. We will say
something we shouldn’t, do something we shouldn’t, offend, and upset those around
us. However, when we act in love, those
mistakes are so much easier to overcome. Love has the power to help us overcome
our biggest problem, ourselves.
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