It has been so cold the latter part of this week. I do not doubt that all of you have paid attention to having the proper clothing with which to cover up. What do you think of when you hear cover up? We think of political scandals or something of that nature. We also can consider a more simple example that is much closer to our own lives. Have you ever tried to cover up something that you did? I think we all have at some point in our lives. We do this because we do not want to face the consequences for what we have done. We do things in secret; we hide them away and hope that someone will not find out. However, covering sins is not always wrong. There are actually two ways to cover sins. There is a wrong way and there is a right way. First, let’s examine the wrong way.
Inadequate Covering
“He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
The wrong way to cover sins was first seen in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness (though inadequately) (Gen 3:7; 21). They tried to cover their sin by hiding in the trees (Gen 3:8). When confronted with their sin, Adam tried to blame his sin on his wife and his God (Gen 3:12). Eve tried to deflect her guilt on the serpent (Gen 3:13). Either way, the hiding was unsuccessful. This did not change throughout time. Achan tried to hide his sin under his stuff (Josh 6-7). The first-century Pharisees tried to cover their sins by appearing righteous unto men (Matt 23:5,14, 25-28). Some today even attempt to persuade themselves that time has covered their sins or that they are not amenable to universal laws such as marriage (Matt 19:9). These are all wrong ways to attempt and cover sin, but there is surely a right way to have sins covered.
Proper Covering
“Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; Thou hast covered all their sin.” Psalm 85:2
There is a right way to cover sin. First, we must receive forgiveness of sin. We must receive pardon first as spiritual aliens. (Acts 2:37-38; 9:6; 22:16; 16:30-33). There must be obedience to the Gospel to become a New Testament Christian. When we will receive the Word of God and obey it, we will receive a covering of sin. When our sins are washed away and forgiven, we are free. For the erring Christian, we can receive a cover of sin because of the blood of Christ when we confess and repent. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Like Adam and Eve, we are often tempted to put on inadequate cover of sin, when the full cover of the blood of Christ is offered to all who will obey the Gospel of Christ and walk faithfully according to His revealed will. We all need cover, and only Christ can provide it.
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
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