"This Thing Called Love!" (Colossians 3:12-14)

Our passage says, "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity" (Colossians 3:12-14). I'm reminded of a story about a little girl who stayed for dinner at her friend's home. The vegetable for the meal was broccoli and the mother asked if she liked it. The girl replied, "Oh, yes, I love it!" When the broccoli was being passed, she didn't take any. The mother said, "I thought you said you loved broccoli." The girl responded, "Oh, yes ma'am, I do, but not enough to eat it!" As Christ followers, we love broccoli, but not enough to eat it! In other words, we love the brethren, but not enough to confront or warn them when they're in error! Many times we idealize the church, reasoning that it's all one big, loving family where conflicts and hurt feelings don't exist! If there's love in any family or in any church, it's because of the deliberate effort to operate in love. Practical love has to be a priority as we relate to each other in the church! Paul tells us, "Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity" (v. 14). The apostle's command would not be necessary if love for one another was automatic or even effortless for Christ followers! The encouragement to have compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another and forgiving each other would not be needed if we all got along all the time! Love must be our priority. What is this love? In order for us to obey the command to love each other, we must understand and embrace what biblical love means. When we assume that love is a warm, fuzzy feeling or that it means always being agreeable, we're missing the heart of biblical love. Love does involve the emotions, but it's not primarily a feeling! If it were, it could not be commanded. We can't work up warm, fuzzy feelings for each other at will. But, we can love each other! Our Lord is love personified. There were times He spoke in a shocking way to His followers! He said to Peter, "Get behind Me Satan" (Matthew 16:23). He called the Pharisees "hypocrites, a brood of vipers, and serpents" (Matthew 23:25, 33). Jesus deliberately provoked the religious leaders by healing folks on the Sabbath, when He could've been "agreeable" and simply waited until the next day! Yet, Jesus always acted in love!! Biblical love is a self-sacrificing, caring commitment that shows itself in seeking the person's highest good! This is what's needed in the church! This is how we fulfill the command, "speaking the truth in love!" (Ephesians 4:15). Be encouraged!