MAKE “LOVE” YOUR GOAL!

COLOSSIANS 3:14: “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”

OBSERVATION: In the 3rd Chapter of Colossians Paul calls believers to seek the things that are above, in heaven, where Christ dwells. He lists the things that should not be found in the life of a believer, and then he lists the qualities that we should endeavor to have in our lives. He summarizes these two lists with this statement – “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”

Jesus simplified the Old Testament Law with one word – “Love”. He said that all the Law and the Prophets were summarized in two commands: 1) You shall love The Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and, 2) You shall love your neighbor as yourself. When I think of a long list of negative things I should avoid, and another long list of positive things I should desire – to be honest, I find myself a bit overwhelmed. What if I forget one of the important ones from the list? What then? How wonderful it is that I can focus on one main goal in life and see both lists accomplished in the process!

When I make “Love” the ultimate goal of my life I am moving toward the high upward call of God in Christ Jesus. John puts it this way – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭7-8‬ NKJV) God is “Love”. When I make “Love” my goal – I am acting like The Lord. When I make “Love” my goal I am in the process rejecting the things that are unlovely (the negative list), and becoming the things that are lovely (the positive list). I don’t need to worry about the lists because “Love” will take care of both.

This is not the world’s love. This is the “agape” – sacrificial love of Christ. It is the love that empowered Christ to die on the cross. It is the love that rolled away the stone and defeated sin and death as He rose from the dead. It is the love that always puts other’s needs before our own. It is the love that willingly ties a towel around our waste in order to wash the feet of our brothers and sisters. It is a love that is manifested in service and commitment. It is God’s Love working in and through us. Paul summarized this love in I Corinthians 13. Lord, help me to emulate this love – “Your Love” – which is the bond of perfection. In Jesus Name!

“LOVE is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.” (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4-7‬ CEB)