Colossians – “Love is the Perfect Unifier”
The title of this article is my translation of the last part of Colossians 3:14. The English Standard Version translates it thus: “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” The New King James Version says, “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” The New American Standard Version renders the verse: “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” The Christian Standard Bible says: “Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”
Does true love unite?
Does God’s word lie? Or is it true that love is the perfect unifier? All disagreements, disputes, differences, and disunities could be resolved with a healthy application of love. We don’t love each other enough! We would rather split apart to preserve our own prideful opinions than to value someone else more than our own alleged intelligence. How intelligent are we really? Not very, if we are willing to sacrifice relationships for our own pride. Lack of love is the culprit. When I look at another person, what do I see? Do I see someone made in the image of God? Do I see someone for whom Christ died? Do I see a soul that will spend eternity in either heaven or hell? Many simply see other people as means to ends: “You are only as good as what you can do for me” they think. This is not loving people. This is using people for our own selfish purposes. People are ends in and of themselves. They are worth sacrificing ourselves for. God certainly thought that, and Jesus demonstrated it (Romans 5:8)! Don’t cast aside relationships like they are just toys for your amusement. Repent, and love people more.
God bless you, and I love you (I really do!)!