Devotionals for the Heart: Tammy tells us why we should "put on love"

Choose Love
A devotional by Tammy Karasek

I have a favorite passage of scripture that draws me back like a magnet, Colossians 3:12-17 (NASB). I’ve written many dates beside these verses, times when I have been moved by the words. In this chapter, Paul encourages us, as believers, to put on the new self and gives us the instructions to do just that.

We should set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. No, we aren’t to ignore what is going on in the world, but we are not to partake in those worldly practices. Instead, we are to put aside the old self, such as immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed (verse five) as well as anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech (verse eight).

Paul then tells us what we should put on as new creatures in Christ on a daily basis. The expression put on actually means to assume, to adopt. He says we are to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. This explains that as believers when we step boldly into faith with Jesus, we are to put on this new self and live in a way that shows Jesus to those around us. Yes, even the guy who cut you off while driving the other day!

This is an ongoing process, one we must practice doing each and every day. It’s not an automatic BAM!, you believe in Jesus so now you possess all these qualities. We live in a sinful world, and sin is always lurking at our door. Therefore, we must make a conscious effort every day to become a person who strives to live in a way that honors God in our words and deeds.

Since this is the month of February which most of us consider the love month, I saved verse 14 for last. Not because it’s not as important as those above — quite the opposite.

"And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." 
~Colossians 3:14 (NASB)

When we choose to put on love, we show the love the Father has shown us, love that is unconditional, everlasting, and immeasurable in its depth. Is this easy? No. But when we strive for this, God honors that. This then is where the end of that verse comes in to play. When we put on love, the uniting bond of perfectness or completion in our faith makes us more like the image of God that we were created to be. 

Take a moment and read Colossians 3:1-17 for yourself and see how the Lord will speak to you today. Let’s choose to put on love, not just because it is February — the love month, but also because we should do this every day, every month. I’ll pray this for you. Will you pray for me, too?

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Author Bio:

You’ll find Tammy seeing humor and causing laughter in every aspect of life. Tammy’s past filled with bullying and criticism is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and share with them the Reason to smile. 

She’s been blissfully wedded to her college sweetheart, Larry, for 36 years, mom to their grown daughter, Kristen and wrapped around the paw of a little puppy named Hattie.

She’s the President of Cross N Pens Christian Writers and a member of ACFW. She will be published in the 2018 Divine Moments book – Cool-nary Moments.
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Connect with Tammy:
Blog - http://www.tammykarasek.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/tickledpinktam
Email - tickledpinktammy@gmail.com

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