Collinsville-Troy CHURCH OF CHRIST

Can You See the Rainbow?

-Jason Wright

God's people have always been challenged with tough times. The question is how did they respond and what were the results? Did they rely on God or try to figure it out themselves? As Christians, we need to be reminded that the rainbow follows the rain.

The world around Noah was focused on all things evil continuously (6:5) God was sorry that He made man (6:6). Destruction of man was coming and coming quickly (6:7). In Genesis 6:8, we are told that Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of God. Noah was instructed to build an ark that would eventually save him and his family (6:13-22). Sure enough, Noah was obedient and as the rains came down and the floods came up, he and his family were safe. Everything else that lived and breathed was destroyed (7:21-23). Notice verse 23, ONLY Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive.

When they went into the ark, family, friends, neighbors, and all others were eating and drinking, marrying wives and were given in marriage and the flood came and destroyed them all (Luke 17:27). Now, there was nothing.

Noah and his family labored in obedience for many decades. They had to hold fast to God's commandments and trust that He would deliver them. Noah was a preacher of righteousness (II Peter 2:5) during construction and had to keep himself and his family from being distracted and falling into the wicked ways of the world. Along the way, his faithfulness condemned the world and became heir of righteousness according to faith (Heb. 11:7)

God promised them a new start when they exited the ark. Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth (9:1). All living things were given into his hand (9:2). They could eat meat (9:3). No more earth destroying floods (9:11) When a cloud comes over the earth, the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud (9:14).

Consider some promises God has made us. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them (enemies); for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6) Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. (Is. 41:10) He calms the storm so the waves are still (Ps. 107:29). The Lord is good. A stronghold (defense/rock) in the day of trouble. And He knows those who trust Him (Nahum 1:7)

God provides hope in desperate situations. God was with Noah thru the storms; He provided safety and salvation on the ark thru the flood. He is the same God today as He was back then. So, when the storms of life roll thru, who do you trust? When there is trouble in the church, who do you depend on? When everything is crumbling around you, who builds you up? The answer—GOD. After the rain comes, can you see the rainbow?

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

-Renn Ferguson

"I'll cover for you." This phrase can mean many things in many contexts. It may mean that someone will take your shift at work. It may mean that someone will try to hide some wrong behavior of another. What does Peter mean when he said, “above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

First, love covers sin in the sense that it forgives sin. Jesus commanded us to go to a brother who has sinned against us, if they listen to us we have gained our brother (Matthew 18:15). There are two implications in that passage. One, the brother repents (hears us). Two, we then must forgive them. A crucial aspect of forgiveness is that we no longer hold it against that person. The word Peter uses in Matthew 18:21 which is translated as “forgive" means "to send away" or "to let go" (Strongs). This word can even be used in the sense or context of a man divorcing his wife. To forgive is to divorce the sin from the one who sinned. True love and forgiveness does not keep a record of the sins committed (1 Corinthians 13:5)

Second, love covers sins in the sense that love conceals the sin. We see this concept in Matthew 18:15-17. This passage sets forth a three-step process in dealing with sin. First there is to be a private discussion between the involved parties. If that is unsuccessful, then two or three others are to be informed of the situation, and they all speak to the guilty party. If that is unsuccessful, then they congregation is to be informed, and they all then have a responsibility to speak to the one who sinned. If that is unsuccessful then fellowship is to be withdrawn. But what if they listen to the one they sinned against? No one ever needs to know about it. True love keeps the matter quiet and private.

It's subtle. And that's the danger. The path away from God rarely feels dramatic—it's usually slow and sneaky.

Third, love does this for a multitude of sins. This is the heart with which we should approach every sin every time. This is also seen in Matthew 18:21-22. When Peter asks if there is a limit on the number of sins we must forgive Jesus informs him that there is not. No matter how many times one sins against us we continue to forgive and conceal.

Are you loving with the kind of love that covers a multitude of sins?