Out of Sight

 January 29, 2024

There are two ways to keep something out of sight; you can hide it, or cover it. “What’s the difference?” you ask. The Bible has the answer.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid themselves in the garden. They were ashamed; they were afraid. Sin does that. We are ashamed of our weakness, afraid of the consequences, so we hide, try to act as if nothing has happened. It may work for awhile; we can hide from others, but never from God. The old saying is true: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” 

I can’t remember any sin I’ve committed that I didn’t try to hide. It never worked for long.

The other way something is kept out of sight is to cover it. In the Bible, we are told that God “covered” Israel’s sins with the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. The sacrificial blood was applied and the sin was covered, but not hidden. It had previously been exposed and the sacrificial lamb offered. There was no hiding, no pretense; the sin was there, but God himself covered it. 

The Bible tells us that “love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8). How does that happen? James tells us: “He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (5:20). Love doesn’t wink at sin; doesn’t hide it or pretend it isn’t there. It confronts sin so God in his mercy through the sacrifice of Christ’s blood on the cross can cover it. It’s not only out of sight; it’s out of existence. THAT is grace!