(The word cover means to put something such as a cloth or lid on top of or in front of something in order to protect or conceal it, while the word cover-up means an attempt to prevent peoples discovering the truth about serious mistakes or crimes.)
On November 6, 2018, while in therapy, I was struggling with a situation that occurred with a leader in Church. I needed to get some understanding of what happened and why it occurred as I could not find any resolution. As I was talking with my therapist about the situation, immediately these words radiated in my spirit, “A Safe Place.” I quickly blurted out, “Oh no, the Church is not a safe place!” In shock, I sat there for a moment and realized for the first time that the Church indeed is not a safe place for many Christians especially leaders.
Unfortunately, the body of Christ, the Church, Christians, Saints have been covering-up sin and not covering sin in love, which has caused many of us to remain stuck, stagnate and sinful…why is the body of Christ covering-up instead of covering in love? The answer is evident. The people of God do not trust the people of God. In other words, the Church is an UN-safe place! Many Christians would rather die in their sins than come to the Church and confess their sins!!! (James 5:16)
Why would a Christian rather die in sin than get free from sin? It’s simple, the Church has become so judgmental and self- righteous that we have forgotten what Peter has admonished us to do. He said, “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) In other words, Peter is saying more important than anything else in life is that we must love and keep loving, and we cannot do it the way we want. We must do it sincerely, earnestly and fervently. To cover someone sins in love is going to require us to forget about ourselves, our emotions, or how we feel about something or someone because love covers a multitude of sin.
Let me demonstrate using the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery:
Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The Law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more. (John 8:1-11)”
It is here that Jesus shows us 1 Peter 4:8 in action (Love in Action). Let’s be clear, Jesus did not cover-up her sin. He told her to go and sin no more. Instead, Jesus looked passed her sin, faults, flaws, failures and saw her need and loved her in and through her mess. In other words, Jesus just loved on her. Jesus did this by extending His goodness, His mercy and His grace, which is the essence of love. He said to her, “Go” which indicates that Jesus had nothing to say about her committing adultery (her sin) other than don’t sin anymore. Jesus is not covering-up her sin but He is acknowledging it by telling her in love not to sin anymore, and she is free to go. He didn’t read her the ride-act. Jesus covered her; he protected her and not only forgave her but exonerated her.
Today as an ambassador of Christ Jesus, I choose to answer the call and offer and deem my website a “Safe Place” for Christians and non-Christians (God is no respecter of persons Rom. 2:11) to come and confess your sins and let the issue of your heart flow (Proverbs 4:23b). This site is a “Safe Place” where you can cast your cares and concerns without being judged (1Peter 5:7), and where I will cover your sins in love through prayers, intercession, declarations, and affirmations…
After reading this blog and you find yourself having difficulty with confessing your sins, I believe God has directed you to this “Safe Place” so that you can cast your issues, cares and concerns in a “Safe Place.” Click on “A SAFE Place” in the menu box, go to “WHAT’S ON YOUR HEART” and let the issues of your heart flow without being judge. You can come naked and unashamed because it is a secured and private category for members only and you can always remain anonymous.
