Undivided: We Go TogetherSample

Putting On Love

By Samantha Rodriguez

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Did you know that salt is actually a greatly valued ingredient in baking? Unless you are a baker yourself, this may come as a surprise to you (as it did me), yet it is completely true! Salt surprisingly enhances the flavors in sweets by bringing out its natural salty flavors and lessening its bitterness. Additionally, it helps bring ingredients together with its emulsifying properties. Now, you may be thinking, “What does this have to do with today’s Scripture?”

I’m so glad you asked! If you read the context in which this verse is found, Paul mentions various fruits of the Spirit which will grow in the life of those who actively pursue Christ and live for Him and through His grace. Those fruits include compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. However, after listing these things, Paul expresses in verse 14 that above them all, we must put on love because it is the perfect bond of unity. 

Now let’s think back to the salt. Just as salt is necessary to enhance the flavor in chocolate and bind the ingredients together, love is necessary for us to exhibit these fruits of the Spirit in our daily lives and thus live together in unity! In order to be the undivided family of God which Jesus prays for in John 17, we must build our lives upon his love both embracing it and displaying it on a daily basis!

Yet the love Paul mentions here is not merely the kind of love we have for a family member or a keepsake or a career. The only kind of love capable of transforming lives and bringing perfect unity is the love of God displayed through his son Jesus Christ! In the original Greek which Paul wrote in, this perfect, sacrificial, and unconditional love of God is called agape. Therefore, It is the agape love of God which will transform our hearts and minds as salt transforms the flavors in sweets, and it is the agape love of God which will bind us in unity just as salt unifies the ingredients in baking. 

Being that it contains so many abilities and benefits, salt is a very cherished household ingredient and was especially coveted during biblical times. Much like anything else, though, humans have always played a role in getting their salt. Whether it be producing salt through evaporation or collecting salt in mines or simply buying some at the grocery store, we must make the effort to get the salt. In the same way, we must each make the effort to put on love because the result will be an undivided community on a mission to spread that same agape love around the world!

PAUSE: Reflect on the agape love of God. How can you embrace and display His love today?

PRACTICE: Take an active step to “put on” the love of God today. Whether it be doing an act of random kindness, sending an encouraging text message, or sharing a simple compliment, share God’s love today!

PRAY: Father, thank You for Your agape love! Thank You that You not only saved me with Your love, but You have given me the ability to live in that love every day with the help of Your Holy Spirit! Fill me afresh today, Father, so that I may contribute to and embrace the undivided family of Christ which is built on Your love!