Colossians 3:12-15 (TP
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
Devotion
The command to love the brethren is so important, that the Apostle Peter exhorted the church – ‘above all things’ or above everything else, to do this. He mentions it twice in the same letter. “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, *love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” 1 Peter 1:22-23
Why was this so important? Peter knew what time it was. Within the same letter he wrote, “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. Above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8.
And, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him steadfast in the faith…” 1 Peter 5:8-9
He knew the devil would attempt to pull apart the Church. But he also knew the importance of being together in one accord. It’s in this environment where God’s presence, and His glory manifests - in unity. This also bears true today.
The God-kind of Love -
The love mentioned here is agape, the God-kind of Love. It is not a feeling, but a Person. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for *God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8
Walking in Love is a result of your union with Christ. “No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” 1 John 4:12-13. To make it simple - walking in love can be as easy as fellowshipping the Lord and being led by the Holy Spirit. He will lead you by His love and will use you to reach others.
The Great Act of Mercy -
When we through love cover (forgive) the sins of another, we walk in mercy, just as our Heavenly Father and Christ have done for us. “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11-12
And we shall be called blessed. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
The time is ripe for the maturity of the Body of Christ and to be strong - ‘strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, *being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints, what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19
When we do this, we walk in the realm where He ‘makes all things possible’. Faith that works by (agape) Love. The very backdrop of revival.
‘Above all things have fervent love for one another…’
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I truly want to be strengthened in my inner man. I know that to do this, I must walk in forgiveness toward others, even when I feel like they don’t deserve it. I understand that bitterness within my heart toward others not only keeps me from being forgiven by You, but it also keeps me from seeing Your best manifest within and through me. Lord, I want to be a beacon of Your love, so I commit to walking in forgiveness toward others and reaching out to them in love, so that I may bring unity to the body of Christ. With praise and thanksgiving, I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Apply It Today
Read the words of Jesus from Matthew 5:44 and commit this verse to memory. Recall this verse each time you feel unforgiveness or bitterness stir up within you, then follow through and obey his words.
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