Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 12, 2016
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:14 (NKJV)
Do you remember the days when you thought twenty-five, thirty, or forty was ancient and you believed that when you reached those life milestones, you would finally know everything and life would be a breeze? But those birthdays came and went and you realized you still felt pretty clueless about many things.
Over the years, one thing I have sometimes felt clueless about is love. No matter how much I have read about it, doing it is an entirely different thing. Still, I have prayed over the years and asked God to teach me how to love. One day many years ago, after pondering about loving God’s way, I wrote the following thoughts in my journal. If you too want to love others well, perhaps these words will encourage you.
If beauty held within it some magic power to create lasting love, all of Hollywood would be abounding in love. If success held within it the power of committed love, all the world’s richest and most powerful would be most in love. However, love does not come to dwell in perfection, for no one is perfect. My love for another is not produced by the object of my love. It exists in me when I choose to love the unlovely and imperfect, and I thereby receive the love I need by being the lover first.
“. . . Love is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:14).
If I searched the world over and found that which I perceived to be perfect and therefore gave my love away, I would soon be disappointed by the illusion of perfection. I could wander my entire life on an endless search for perfect love and I would never know love. I would never experience the joy of giving grace to another, of accepting without condition, of loving wholly with a pure heart, not seeking for self, because love gives. I am a victim of the lies of the world if I believe I can only love the beautiful, successful, or perfect. Christ died and placed the love of His heart into mine so that I can love with His love. He loves the imperfect; He loves me.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
Prayer
Lord, thank you for loving me so I can love. Please continue to give me a humble heart, and help me to put others first. Help me to recognize any subtle selfishness in my heart that would destroy the love I can experience with others. Thank you that you are always willing to teach me. Amen.Application
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any pride or selfishness in your heart that is preventing you from loving well.Related Reading
Romans 12:10; Galatians 5:26; James 3:14-16Post/Tweet today
Christ died and placed the love of His heart into our hearts so that we can love with His love. #WisdomHunters #LoveIsTheBondOfPerfectionWorship Resource
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Excellent devotional. Pride and selfishness will harden my heart. Humility is the safe guard over my heart that will keep love pure and from growing cold.
I have been following you for a couple of years and have not taken the time to comment on your devotions. You indeed are blessed. You share your heart and everyday life in your writings. This is what makes it special to me. We are not perfect and it is a blessing to hear others share their imperfections. Keep sharing your heart and God will bless you abundantly.
Thank you for showing us and reminding us how to love. These Wisdom Hunters devotionals
that I read just about every day are very encouraging in this very imperfect world.
Keep up the good work.
Gary Watts
It is very powerful word for me today. It is a rhema word to me. Thank you Lord for loving me at calvary and teach me to forgive.
Wow great perspective! I never thought of that way. Yet you are right. To love as Christ Jesus did we must first be humble. No wonder the enemy feeds our pride. Thank you this is very helpful on knowing how to fight the good fight.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your encouraging words of kindness for Shana after reading her devotional, “Love is the Bond of Perfection”. Please know that I forwarded your sweet words to her and I am sure she will be blessed by them.
I agree with you, it is a great perspective. I keep learning (and keep learning…) the importance humility plays in every aspect of our life here on earth (especially in our relationships with others and certainly with our Savior).
One of the statements that Shana wrote in her journal really stood out to me. “My love for another is not produced by the object of my love. It exists in me when I choose to love the unlovely and imperfect, and thereby receive the love I need by being the lover first.” Gracious, what a powerful realization.
Thank you Susan, for taking the time to reach out to us. We are grateful that you are a part of our Wisdom Hunter’s family.
Keep Shining His Light for others to know Him,
Gwynne
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2