“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”                          

I Peter 4:8

The Apostle Peter instructs us that the most important behavior to practice fervently and zealously among us as saints is charity. What is Biblical charity? God tells us in the above verse charity covers the multitude of sins. Also, in (Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”) Overlooking, forgiving and forgetting offences of others: covering a multitude of sins. Does not mean we let sin reign in us or in others; rather, we forgive the repentant one as God forgave us. Not having a self-absorbed mind: “all hate me,” “out to get me,” or “all are against me.” We ought to be praying, edifying, exhorting, looking out for the health, wellbeing and prosperity of one another.

 God tells us what Biblical charity is: (“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:…” I Cor. 13:1-8)

• With no Charity – you’re just a pleasing noise when you speak several languages
• With no Charity – you’re speaking, teaching and preaching becomes void
• With no Charity – you may have faith that can move mountains but you are worthless (No profit)
• No Charity – No Gain. Even if you give all that you have to those in need. (Though giving is a fraction of charity III John 5-7) Even to the point of giving your very life. No Charity – No Gain.

Charity is:

• Long Suffering: enduring patiently, without complaint; resilient fortitude (Gal. 5:22)
• Kind: to give benevolently away one’s self (Col. 3:12-16)
• Envieth Not: not having a strong indignation or mean spirited for or against another (James 3:14-16)
• Vaunteth Not: to boast of self (Prov. 27:1)
• Not Puffed Up: make proud or to inflate self (Prov. 8:13)
• Behave Unseemly: shameful or indecent behavior (I John 5:17)
• Seeketh Not Her Own: always a mind and heart for others in word and in deed (I John 3:18)
• Not Easily Provoked: quick tempered or take offense quickly (Prov. 15:1-2)
• Thinketh No Evil: a mind and heart that always holds too the upmost of others (Phil. 2:1-8)
• Rejoiceth Not in Iniquity: does not laugh at or mock sin but holds it in contempt (“Ye that love the LORD, hate evil:”)(Ps. 97:10)
• Rejoiceth in Truth: Over joyous and delights in God’s Word, His righteousness and His justice (Ps. 1)
• Beareth All Things: Supporting and sustaining good and bad in the proper manner by the strength of the Lord (Eph. 6:10)
• Believeth All Things: Faith, not a simpleton; Faith, not as a gullible; Faith in practice; Faith in believing; Faith, God promised and God said, thus it shall be! (Heb. 11)
• Hopeth All Things: to except, confide, or trust God to perform
• Endureth All Things: patiently being strong in the Lord to face good or evil, peace or danger (II Tim. 2:3)
• Never Faileth: always triumphant, victorious, and always the foremost and supreme way to an undefeated life in the Lord (I Cor. 13)

 Do you possess and manifest this Christ like character of charity? Let us sincerely and diligently seek to be always in this perfect way as our Saviour Jesus Christ. (“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:48)