“Love: The Tie That Binds All Virtues…!”(Col. 3:12-17)
“Two drunkards can reconcile over a bottle of beer, but two Christians will still hold grudges with bibles in their hands. What a world!!!” I’m still pondering on this quote by Akah Valentine. The author is certainly not only theorising without having seen, heard – and perhaps lived the experience.
Today’s text reads, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
We do not need to further sermonize on this text which is as plain and simple. Suffice it to point out the danger of wrongful interpretation by lifting a verse out of its context. Ask the Kenyan pastor who sucks women’s breasts to remove demons, ask the female minister who encourages men to suck her breasts to receive blessings, ask the church that recommends beer drinking as part of a church service, ask the minister who recommends his followers to eat grass as goats – the list is long. Ask any of them and don’t be surprised when you hear the abusive use of this verse of Scripture to justify vice: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” Sacrilege!
My friend, our take home out of the abundant riches of the text:
- Love is the overall that binds all virtues in perfect unity. Therefore, let love lead!
- We all are teachers; teaching and admonishing one another.
- Let us sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in our hearts to God.
So to say, dear friend, you and I can still make a better world where love will make the world go round.
Prayer of the day and week: Heavenly Father, with love and thankful hearts we offer to you our songs of praise and adoration. Amen!
Welcome to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.