Colossians 3:14-17

"And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony]" Colossians 3:14.

From the King James version of "put on", like you would a shirt or a pair of sandals, the Amplified has added "enfold", which reveals more of the original use of this putting on. You know... the strongest swords in the world are made from a similar process. The metal, once heated is folded and melted back together several times which strengthens the metal more and more. Enfolding ourselves in His Love is deeper than some kind of clean white lab jacket. Even after having accepted Christ for some while, the enfolding of His love in us must continue, until you really do see everyone through eyes of love. It is a giving on your part, a revealing of the Holy Spirit, and a work in progress by Jesus Christ. He has more fire and heat coming, more folding and hammering, and more sharpening ahead, in this process.

15. "And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]."

Before Jesus left this earth He promised His disciples a peace unlike any other, when He said... "Peace I leave with you; My (His very own personal) peace) I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful" (John 14:27). The peace of Christ, the peace He gives is not only peace we experience when there is no conflict, but it gives us a sense of wholeness and well-being, completeness and totality. Ultimately, the peace of Christ is the very presence of Christ, within us. And all believers share this same peace. In Romans 5:1, we read, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This peace is then, both the concept of an agreement, pact, treaty, or bond, that we have with Christ, and that an attitude of rest or security which grows from our relationship with Christ. Both aspects are in view here.

Notice... it starts in the heart, where The Holy Spirit dwells, and arises to the mind!

16. "Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts."

So then, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God, Christ, through the Holy Spirit, is producing peace as both, our Perfecter, enfolding in us His Love... "see everyone the way I do, Preston!" (vs 14), and our umpire... "hey that was a foul ball, Preston!" (vs 15).

17. "And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him."

That's a great word to end on this study today, Amen? Dependence upon Christ and not in ourselves. Let's pick up with verse 18, next time.

I love you.