Text: Colossians 3:14
By: ODAFE, OBUS
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Everything we need to succeed and be great in life revolve around rules. Christianity is built on three strong characters (faith, hope and love). Christianity will not make any sense without the foundation of these three strong characters. But love is the greatest of them all, because love is the foundation and the hallmark for the practice of our faith. 1 Corinthians 13:13.
TEXT: BUT ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS PUT ON LOVE, WHICH IS THE BOND OF PERFECTION.
Paul’s statement tells us as believer, that we must let love lead us always, because it fosters a connection that goes beyond the superficial. It brings a true picture and creates sense of companionship and bond. A bond that involves understanding each other’s core values, beliefs, respect and life goals etc.
LOVE AS DEFINED BY APOSTLE PAUL
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
- Love is patient: (able to accept or tolerate other)
- love is kind (having a friendly or generous nature or attitude)
- It does not envy (negative feeling of desire for something that someone else has)
- it does not boast (talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities)
- it is not proud (feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one’s own achievements, qualities, or possessions)
- It does not dishonour others (failure to observe or respect)
- it is not self-seeking (having concern for one’s own welfare and interests before those of others).
- it is not easily angered (a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility)
- it keeps no record of wrongs (It takes no account of the evil done)
- Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
- Love never fails.
Love is the first fruit of the Spirit as listed by Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians. Galatians 5:22:
WHEN WE LET LOVE LEAD US, IT MANIFEST IN EVERYTHING WE DO
- In character/attitudes, let love lead.
- In conversation, let love lead.
- In celebrating victory, let love lead.
- In decisions, let love lead.
- In challenging times, let love lead.
- In doing business, let love lead.
- In responding to people who offend you, let love lead.
- In reporting issues to people, let love lead.
- In every relationship, let love lead.
- In disciplining your child let love lead.
- In giving at church let love lead
The absence of love is hatred. Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
CONCLUSION
As believers, whatever we do must proceed from the attitude of love. Love should be the foundation of all our actions. John 15:12. Jesus tells us to love one another as He has loved us. This commandment calls on us to love sacrificially, selflessly, and unconditionally, not only when it’s convenient or reciprocated. Let us take up this challenge of letting love lead as we navigate on this journey.
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