A couple of years back, my 7yo brother William found our 5yo brother Patrick Henry hiding behind the house. The cuffs of his pants were gone and a slow flame was smoldering up the legs of his brand-new train-conductor style overalls.
Patrick Henry was scared of the creeping flame, but he was even more afraid of the consequences of playing near fire in the first place. He was determined to hide out and burn quietly.
When he was found, Patrick Henry immediately started pleading: “Don’t tell Mom!” If he were a few years older and more articulate, his plea might have included something about love covering a multitude of sins.
William was insistent. “Patrick Henry! We have to tell Mom.”
William wasn’t moved by his brother’s plea for privacy in his sin. He ran straight for Mom. This is brotherly love.
My brother was miraculously unharmed, in spite of the fact that the bottoms of his shoes were melted and the lower 6″ of his pants was almost entirely gone.
The point?
Yes, love covers a multitude of sins, but not by helping our brother to continue to hide in his sin. James exhorts us to turn our sinning brother from the error of his way. This is how we cover a multitude of sins.
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him
back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will
save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20
Wow. Good stuff. I’m going to link to this post, if you don’t mind. : )
By the way, I’m just no good at waiting. I never did enjoy suspense. As my four-year-old nephew would say, “No fair. Not fun.”
Congratulations to the first two winners. Lucky ducks.
Great post. I have wondered how this relates to our relationships with those close to us when a sin is recognized. Do we cover it up, ignore it or help each other face the truth and seek God’s answer to the problem? I think the answer is obvious, but oh so hard to live out….or so we make it.
I’d like to link to this post, as well.
Thank you again (I somehow bumped off my first comment!!) Your scripture was so timely. I have been wrestling with confronting someone whose fire is spreading to my children. I’ve been reading God’s word and praying for 2 hours… I’ve even blogged a prayer for help.. thank you for sharing.
Great reminder! Thanks
Jenn
Thank you for your post–we are dealing with a situation that needed just this sort of story to bring it home!
Sherry
The boy made a mistake he is a child. Why must you call a mistake sin?