BE A BINDER

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. —Colossians 3:12-15

Just as a comb binder holds papers together in on booklet, so love is what holds all the godly characteristics together in the follower of Christ’s life. Love is the essential binder and without it one cannot truly live for Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1b5OPCOJvM

Love undergirds all the other aspects mentioned above: tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, making allowance for others faults, forgiving those who offend you, living in peace with others and always being thankful. Without love these other characteristics are meaningless (I Corinthians 13).

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Without love “which binds us together in perfect harmony” we will be like a stack of papers unbound, blown by the wind and scattered— a mess. So, may love (Matthew 22:37-40) be the foundation of all we are and do.

Dear Father, please help me to be loving and bring about harmony. Surely where love does not exist there will be disarray and even destruction. May You help me to lovingly encourage others through for Jesus’ Name’s sake, honor and glory. May it be so.