Colossians 3:14

and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.

'AND ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS' -'And upon all' (Robertson p. 504) 'does not mean most of all, but "over all". Love is pictured as an outer garment, or more exactly,. belt, which not only completes the costume but also perfects and unites all the garments.' (Erdman p. 97)

'PUT ON' -Which infers that "love" isn't just inborn. True love must be learned and applied (1 Corinthians 13:4).

'WHICH IS THE BOND OF PERFECTNESS' -'which binds together and completes the whole' (Con); 'which binds everything together in perfect harmony' (RSV).

Points to Note:

1. Since even faith must have the proper motive of love behind it, to be effective and useful (Galatians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 13:1). It seems logical that all of these qualities can exist without the right motivation. For example, many people are patient, not because they love God or their fellowman, but because they are hoping that such patience will irritate their enemies. People demonstrate many of these qualities from the motivation of "see how good. am doing, obviously,. am better than you." And others simply want the praise of men (Matthew 6:1).

2. Eadie notes that without love, 'knowledge is but. selfish acquisition, purity an attempted personal gain, and zeal. defective struggle...'(p. 240)

3. And Barclay is probably right when he says that the tendency of any body of people is sooner or later to fly apart. We need the quality of love, for without it we are destined for division

4. "Perfection" for the Christian isn't some mysterious experience. Rather, it is practical, concrete and demonstrated. It is the life that is able to apply the above passages in harmony with the truth found in 1 Corinthians 13:4.

'PERFECTNESS' -5047. teleiotes tel-i-ot'-ace; from 5046; (the state) completeness (mentally or morally): -perfection(-ness).

Jesus pointed out the same thing, when He stated that if one keeps before their mind two basic concepts--complete love for God and their fellow man (Matthew 22:37); that everything else will naturally fall into place. See Romans 13:9.

So many people worry about so many things. Christian work on loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself--and you will be on track!

True love keeps the Christian from becoming unbalanced. And unbalanced religious people abound in our culture, and sadly too many are found in the Church.