S – Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. 14 Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity
Colossians 3:12–14 CSB
O – Commentary:
But over all these virtues Christians are to put on love. As Paul wrote elsewhere, “The greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13). In one’s catalog of virtues love should be the cover, because it is of supreme importance and is the perfect bond, holding them all together in perfect unity.
Norman L. Geisler, “Colossians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 682.
A – The only way to live with those character traits Paul listed is to have a foundation of love. A love for God and others enables us to operate in each of these qualities. I John 4:8 says that “God is love.” When we allow love to permeate our thoughts, words and actions and is evident in an outward expression, we are growing more into the character of God.
R – Heavenly Father, you are the Love. Empower us today to become more like you in loving you and others. Help us to walk genuinely in these attributes. We want to know you intimately and allow that relationship to be displayed in an outward expression of that love.
Just Add Water . Chris Bonham 