Grow • Devotion #6: Love
Dr. Randy T. Johnson
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, 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. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14
This passage is so beautiful. Paul gives a precious description of believers, “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved.” This is rich with meaning. The Christian journey starts and builds through the love of God. God loves you! Pause and let that sink in. God’s love gives us strength and purpose for the day.
Paul then gives a list of characteristics that we should wear as cherished clothes, “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” He then gets more specific reminding us people will be difficult. We are to bear with them and forgive them. It will not always be easy, but it is simple. We are to love others. All of these traits can be summarized in love.
Love is obviously not a new concept. When Jesus was asked by the Pharisees what the greatest commandment is, He answered with love. Matthew 22:37-39 records His answer, “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
I appreciate Dwight L. Moody’s perspective, “The world does not understand theology or dogma, but it understands love and sympathy.” This is what Jesus was saying in John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
All too often we respond as if love is just a feeling. Although love can make our hearts beat faster and our minds race with excitement, it is unseen or realized without action. Love is more of a verb than a noun. Love is something we do. As Christians, we are to love God and love others. This is not just to be found in our hearts and minds but needs to work itself out through our mouths, hands, and feet.