Cover

<<conceal>>

Hatred stirs up but love covers all wrongs (Prov 10:12; 1 Pet 4:8). This is not condoning sin nor being afraid to confront and hold people accountable when appropriate, rather it is overlooking personal insult, not gossiping about others faults nor dredging up past failures, instead acting in a gracious way (Prov 12:16, 17:9; 1 Cor 13:4-7). We are to deal

We are to expose and confess our sin, not that of others

with our own sin, confessing it and receiving forgiveness, “Blessed is he whose
transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” – not covered up (deceitfully hidden) but acknowledged with the blood of Christ ‘clearing the record’
(Ps 32:1-5, 85:2; Prov 28:13; Mt 7:3-5; Rom 4:7; 1 Jn 1:9).

As believers we can bring others back into relationship with Christ and the freedom of sins forgiven. “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (Jas 5:19,20). Here again, the term "cover many sins" communicates the fact of a person’s sins being forgiven.

No wrongdoing can be hidden – all we do is seen by God, and often becomes visible to others too (Num 32:23; Lk 12:2; Heb 4:13). Although confessed sins are forgiven, there are still consequences. The Bible warns against using our freedom in Christ as an excuse, “a cover-up for evil” (1 Pet 2:16).

We can find refuge (protection) in God like chickens under the security of the hens wings (Ps 17:8,9, 91:4; Mt 23:37).