I love how we are told in the Bible to “put off” whom we used to be before we repented and received Jesus Christ as Lord and to “put on” the person God created us to be. And how LOVE is what we are to “put on” above all else. In fact, LOVE is considered the “bond of perfectness” – or “completion” per Strong’s concordance.
I like to think of taking off our old clothes and putting on new ones. Getting rid of our old wardrobe and wearing our new wardrobe. When we believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and in His death and resurrection, truly turning from our sins to God and His ways, we are “born again” spiritually and begin a lifelong journey of learning to live according to God’s ways. In the Bible, God gives us our new wardrobe!
Just as God is to be our “first love (Revelation 2:4)”, LOVE is what we are to “put on” above all else. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Beautiful, powerful – and convicting. For it’s not always easy to think, speak, and act with the LOVE OF JESUS at the forefront. But God by His Holy Spirit who lives in His followers gives us the ability to LOVE as He calls us to LOVE.
So may we LOVE! To the Lord be the glory! Let us “put on” LOVE! Praise the Lord, hallelujah, AMEN!
God, teach us to “put on” LOVE above all else, dear God! May you be our first love, and may we “put on” – and walk in – LOVE, LOVE, your LOVE, oh Lord, AMEN!
“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity [“love” in some Bible translations], which is the bond of perfectness [also “completion” per Strong’s concordance]. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:10-15 KJV