Real Love

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

This verse is yet another one in which English translations miss out on the richness of the Greek text. In this case, the culprit is the word love. This isn’t the fault of those who are translating the text. Instead, it’s the fault of our own language. We use the word love in so many ways. (e.g., I love my family. I love Starbucks. I’m going to make love with my spouse. I’m going to love on that person who seems depressed.) 

The English language uses one word with a variety of meanings! But ancient Greek – and many other languages today – don’t have just one word for love, they have several.

The Greek word used here in Colossians 3:14 is the word agapé This type of love is what God expresses toward us in John 3:16. It is not an emotional feeling, nor is it a passive expression. Instead, agapé love is active. It is acting toward the good will of others, having genuine concern toward them and their well-being. In Colossians 3:14, Paul invites us to relentlessly and actively love one another. Because in the new family of Jesus, love is what holds us together. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 3:12-15, 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Why do you think Paul writes about forgiveness and love back to back in Colossians 3:13-14? What steps do you sense God may be inviting you to take in these areas of forgiveness and love?

DIGGING DEEPER: Who is somebody who showed you real, sacrificial love at a moment in your life when you didn’t believe you deserved it? Considering writing to them to thank them for modeling agapé love to you. 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank you for all of those who have shown me a tremendous amount of sacrificial love. Continue to shape me into someone who can be sacrificial love in the lives of those who need it. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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