Valentine’s Day this month reminds us to celebrate love. And the apostle Peter develops this by saying “Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

In summary, keep love constant.

As love is tested so it will grow. Try these three areas as a challenge.

In families. A parent’s love for a child is soon tested. They say that a toddler steps on your feet and a teenager on your heart. Children are not fooled. They know we give time to the things we love. And church families could do worse than have that phrase ‘love covers a multitude of sins’ printed on their church notices.

In modern society we rush to litigation. We are expected to react strongly to every political incorrectness, to invoke systems of discipline for every minor misdemeanour.

But how can we really love others if it appears that we take delight in finding faults and sins? Bishops try hard to stretch their love to forgive.

I believe that when sin is discovered, Christ calls us to confront it but at the same time to find ways to shelter the wrongdoer from exposure and condemnation.

This does not mean we cover up serious injustice, but it does mean we try to treat others as God has treated us. We love because he first loved us.

Does our love stretch to praying for Jihadi John? Jesus taught us to love our enemies. Who loved and prayed for Saul by asking for his transformation?

It certainly is not easy, when we hear of another atrocity, to love and to pray for those who have transgressed. But is there a better way of seeing people change?

This celebration and constant practice of love are the chief ways in which we can show Christ’s way is different from the world.

Bishop Geoff Pearson - Bishop of Lancaster