Put on Love – Reaching Hurting Women Ministries

In THE NEW LIFE series we’re studying one of my favorite chapters in the Bible: Colossians 3:1-17. As you will see this is a rich chapter full of valuable life transforming lessons. Join me on the third Friday of each month in 2020 for this in-depth Bible study with real world applications.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ~ Colossians 3:14

For us to put on love and continually walk in love we must stay close to the only true source of love, God. As we do, the love we receive from God will be extended to those around us.

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” ~ Mark 12:29-31

We are unable to love ourselves or others unless we first love God. And that love for God must be full and complete. Scripture calls for us to love God with ALL our heart, all our mind and all our strength. Unless we surrender our whole self to God as a sacrifice of love we cannot love anyone else.

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ~ 1 John 4:7-8

Now more than ever people need to know they are loved, cared for, valued and accepted. And the world can’t give us this. In fact when we look around we see the exact opposite every day. Many are completely unaware of God’s love. They imagine God as vague being who wants to punish the world. But God loves the world so much that He sent Jesus to show us that love in human form.

Love is kind and patient,
never jealous, boastful,
proud, or rude.
Love isn’t selfish
or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
of wrongs that others do.
Love rejoices in the truth,
but not in evil.
Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
and trusting.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

As we continue to walk with God we will exhibit all the characteristics listed above–the characteristics of God that are shown to us in the life of Christ. Shake off our old worldly habits of thinking and reacting. Renew your mind with God’s word… Walk in forgiveness. Live as a person who has put on love!

Growing up in a lower-middle class family, with one income didn’t provide for many luxuries. We rarely ate at restaurants. We’d buy the Colonel’s chicken but mother would cook everything else. We vacationed in a tent or camper; never staying in motels. And when it came time to purchase groceries my mother was never taken in by brand names. My sister or I would ask for a brand name cereal, shampoo that we’d seen on a television commercial; but mother would buy the ‘store’ brand and say, “It all comes out of the same barrel.”

In the 70’s there were a few designer brands here and there, not like now! It seems in today’s culture women and men are all about the designer labels…

Burberry, Gucci, Armani, Calvin Klein, Versace, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Chanel… ad infinitum…

There’s designer everything from shoes, purses, clothes, watches, cars, dishes, food, furniture, even dogs.

A person can go designer crazy!

According to Wikipedia the term designer label refers to clothing and other personal accessory items sold under an often prestigious marque which is commonly named after a designer. The term is most often only applied to luxury items. While members of the upper-middle class, or the mass affluent, are perhaps the most commonly targeted customers of these designer labels, some marquees—such as Cartier—tend to a wealthier customer base.

The world may be all about designer labels but what about the label we’re wearing on our life?

The Apostle Paul in the third chapter of Colossians writes:

So, if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides.

That means killing off everything connected with the way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing what ever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy.

That’s a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God.

Your done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense.

And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. – The Message Bible

What designer label are you wearing today? A worldly label or The Master Creator’s label?

The best news of all: God’s designer label isn’t targeted to any one class of people.

God is a respecter of all persons.

If you haven’t yet, take this opportunity to try His brand…You won’t be sorry!

PRAYER:
Lord, help me to live the resurrection life with Christ. Help me to take off the old fashions and put on the new wardrobe you have for me. Help me to walk in Your love today.