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Colossians 3:12-15
There is so much in this passage that can and needs to be expanded, but I think the best way to find what it means is to read it…over, and over, and over again. Colossians 3:12–15 (NKJV) states, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
This is a command to “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:12–15).
As Christians, we are God’s elect. We need to strive earnestly to follow what Christ has taught us. And Paul teaches us to most of all put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Any time we see the word perfection, we know that it must be in reference to God, because we are sinful and are not and never will be perfect outside of God’s grace indwelling us through His Holy Spirit given as a gift of salvation in Christ Jesus (John 14:15–18, 23, 26). It is only through salvation in Christ that we put on the perfection of Christ. 1 John 4:8 states “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” Love, the bond of perfection, is putting on Christ.
Dear Lord,
I pray today that You will help all Christians to follow what we learn in Colossians 3:12-15. Help us to be strong in the face of persecution and to understand that the only perfection we will find is in Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We are to be an example to the world of Jesus living in us; please let our lives be a reflection of the words of Colossians 3:12–15 – In Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.