Text: Proverbs 10:12-14 (ESV)   12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. 13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. 14 The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.   LOVE COVERS ALL OFFENSES   We live in a broken world. And, it’s a given fact that others would hurt us as we do to others, either advertently or inadvertently. Choosing to respond in love is powerful. This idea is repeated often in the Old Testament (Lev 19:18; Prov 15:1) and is cited in the New Testament (Jas 5:20; 1 Peter 4:8). In short, revenge-seeking never comes to a good end. It only multiplies anger and escalates a cycle of retaliation.   We have the choice to respond with love to those who offend us. This is not referring to ignoring sin or "covering it up." Love rejoices in the truth not wrong. But love does keep on trying to find common ground and ways to work together. It waits patiently for an offender to see the error of his way and repent. It is willing to forgive and reconcile. In so far as it's possible, and reasonable, love leads us to pursue unity (John 17:21)   Jesus specified love as the evidence of belonging to Him. He said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34–35).   Verses 13 and 14 affirm the importance of listening to those who teach wisdom. To love rather than to take revenge on our enemy is the wisest thing to do. This is in line with Jesus’ teaching, is it not? When Jesus ministered on earth, He spoke wisely, and His words carried divine authority. Multitudes gathered to hear Him teach because He spoke with authority. Mark 1:22 relates that, when Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath, the people "were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes."   Let’s reflect to the truth we learned today. Jesus is the truth.[John 14:6] Those who know Him are the truly wise. They follow His words and example in relating with people – even loving the unlovable and forgiving them. However, the eternal fate of those who ignore Him as the Word of Life will be tragic. Jesus said, “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”[John 12:48]   Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast ------------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram