From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 6:08 AM
Subject: 4-19-23 THOUGHTS
4-19-23 THOUGHTS
A study in Colossians 3 developed into our morning’s thoughts. 1Cor 16:14 “Let all that you do be done in love.”
Col 3:10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him —
Col 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Col 3:14 Beyond all these things [put on] love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
[YLT-bond of the perfection ESV-binds everything together in perfect harmony MB- put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.]
Adam Clarke: “Which is the bond of perfectness. Love to God and man is not only to cover all, but also to unite and consolidate the whole. It is therefore represented here under the notion of a girdle, by which all the rest of the clothing is bound close about the body. To love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and one’s neighbour as one’s self, is the perfection which the new covenant requires, and which the grace and Spirit of Christ work in every sincerely obedient, humble believer; and that very love, which is the fulfilling of the law and the perfection itself which the Gospel requires, is also the bond of that perfection. It is by love to God and man that love is to be preserved. Love begets love; and the more a man loves God and his neighbour, the more he is enabled to do so. Love, while properly exercised, is ever increasing and reproducing itself.” [emphasis mine JPR]
Prov 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1John 3:18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
1John 4:9-10 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1John 4:19 We love, because He first loved us.
2Cor 13:11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
My Prayer:
O God of heaven and earth, teach us the fullness of love. Help us to love, that we might learn more love. With great passion, may we study your love and the way You have used love in the design of all things. You are Love. May we be like You. With the call of our active love, help us to draw souls to You through Jesus the Christ. Help us to love in service, those who need love most. In the name of the One who saves us, Amen.