We are to have fervent love for one another. The word 'fervent' is an athletic word. It means to stretch and reach out; to strain and exert to the utmost degree just like an athlete in a race. This means as Christians we are to love others with God-given love, even when they hurt us, persecute us, ridicule us, and speak evil against us.
The verse goes on to say, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Here Peter is quoting Proverbs 10:12 'Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.' The word 'cover' means forgiveness. Where there is hatred, there is malice, and malice causes a person to want to tear down the reputation of his enemy. When someone sins, we are not to go out and announce it; this leads to gossip and slander. Sometimes we try to make our gossip sound 'spiritual' by telling people things so that they might pray more intelligently. My friend we need to watch our motives, are we truly thinking of the person's best interest or just wanting to tell someone else what they did? Instead of spreading gossip about their sin, we need to pray for them and reach out in love to them. You can ask for prayer but don't have to give all the details - God knows and that is what is important.
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