Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
1 Corinthians 16:14: “Do everything in love."
Paul talks about many virtues – compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness – but he states that love “binds
them all together in perfect unity.”
When those virtues lived out purely, they are natural extensions of
love. It is possible to do a kind thing
or act humble without love. When we do
that, we break integrity. The literal
definition of integrity is “the state of being whole and undivided.” It is only when we “do everything in love”
that we are living with integrity, because love holds it all together.
Too many people live with divided spirits. Their outward behavior is honorable – they are
kind and considerate to others. They
appear humble, patient, and even forgiving.
But underneath, a storm of quiet hurt, anger, and resentment brews. They are restless, dissatisfied, and long for
their inward condition to match their outward persona. So it begs the question, how do we “put on
love over all these virtues?”
Paul goes on to explain vs 15-16:
The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into
which you were called in one body. And be thankful people. The word of Christ
must live in you richly. Teach and warn each other with all wisdom by singing
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Putting on love begins with a growing connection to Jesus. His
peace begins to take up residence in our spirits. This is a source of peace that comes in no
other way. When you live with that
growing awareness, our inner “weather” is more peaceful and composed. Paul further explains that this growing
connection to Jesus comes from meditating on the teachings of Jesus and
engaging our spirits in worship. We
intentionally practice gratitude. In
other words, spiritual discipline leads to spiritual peace which leads to love
becoming our internal disposition. Our noble
actions are in alignment with our holy hearts.
Integrity of heart, mind, and action are achieved. And the thing that holds it all together is
love.
Question: Are there
times when you actually feel “divided” because love wasn’t your primary
motivation?
Prayer: Loving God,
you always display perfect integrity because you always act towards us in love.
Teach us your ways of love. Amen.
Prayer Focus: Pray
for those who have or are dying.
Song: Amazing Love
(You are My King) - Phillips, Craig,
Dean
No comments:
Post a Comment