What do you picture, when you picture love? The word "binds" in the verse above makes me think about how threads can bring sleeves and other elements of a shirt together. That thread unites the parts that make up the final piece, so you can wear it. Like threads on a shirt, love rooted in Christ is the key to the virtues in Colossians 3:
- compassion
- kindness
- humility
- gentleness
- patience
- bearing with one another
- forgiveness
- thankfulness
We can throw out those old "clothes" - lives distinguished by anger and rage, malice and slander, filthy language, lies and prejudice. We can do that with the Holy Spirit's power. Because of the price Christ paid on the cross and out of our trust in His lead, we can have this walk with God, a walk in the ways of love as we follow Him. It's His desire and joy to help us live love like He does. It's a great trade - turning in our old lifestyles for a new one marked by love, love like our Creator and Savior.
How can you love others today? How can you help weave a lifestyle of God's kind of love in your community and your city this month?
Lord, thanks for Your unmatchable love! Open our eyes to see opportunities to love more like You. Help us share with others how we learn from the best. Amen.
"We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him" (1 John 4:16, NASB).
Happy Valentine's Day!
Check out the song "Captivated" by Jeremy Camp - www.youtube.com - photos by Edenview Photography.
Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Image by Paul Soupiset. Find samples of his work at www.paulsoupiset.com.
