Put on Love

Colossians 3:12-14

This morning after reading these verses this thought came into my mind; Bob, are you just a reader of the word of God, or do you take serious what God says?  I’m not sure that I have been up long enough this morning to ponder such thoughts.  This is what I read; “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13)  Before we address whether I am a reader of the word of God, or do I obey it’s teaching, let us look at the way God sees you and me.

I’m not sure why so many Christians have problems believing that God feels this way about them, in the above verses He calls us chosen ones, holy and beloved, it could be that we have a false concept or belief when it comes to our relationship with God.  Do we believe that God’s great love for us is dependent on our performance; you will not find that in Scripture.  Like any of us with children, our desire is to be obey; our Father in heaven desires obedience, and to have fellowship with us, but His great love for us is not based on our performance. 

For years I could not grasp what God said about me could be truth, and I believe there in lies a substantial problem, being totally accepted and acceptable by God, not because of your actions but because of His.  I have come to understand that once I see from heavens view, my hearts desire is take serious what God has said.

So the question ask of me this morning was; “Bob, how are you doing with ‘bearing with one another?”  Reflecting on that question, I was quick to say “I drop that ball often.  Lord, you know how I’m made, and then this thought came into my mind, Yes, Bob you are made in My Image, and because of your relationship with My Son, I have given you the mind of Christ.  “Lord, I’m doing better, I’ve learned to live in fellowship with my wife and daughter, and Lord, most of our neighbors on my street, and small children are not a problem, just their parents, and even old people, unless they are going 30 in a 60 mile an hour zone.”  Lord, you are flooding my mind with so many areas of my life that I am not willing to bear with others, and that is rebellion on my part.  Thank you for loving me so much Father that you would bring this area of my life up, that you would show me that I need to run to You, to let You teach me these basic truths of Your Word.

And verse 14 reads, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”  So when love controls my heart, and it seems as if God has given me the ability to put it on, it will bind everything together in perfect harmony.  To live in harmony with both God and all others, now that is what He has called us to, the chosen ones, the ones God calls holy; holy because of what Christ has done, not because of any act on your part.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice