Colossians 3
Then if you have risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God.
Set your affections on things that are above, and not on things that are on the earth.
For if you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ which is our life, will appear, then will you also appear with him in glory.
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body’s which are on the earth, as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
For you should have as little desire for the things of this world as a dead man, so ride yourself of; all fornication; immorality uncleanness; impurity the inordinate affection; wrong passion evil concupiscence; evil desire and covetousness; greed which is idolatry.
For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
In these things you also walked in once, when you lived in them. But now you also should put away even all these things,
wrath,
anger,
maliciousness,
cursed speaking; slander
and filthy; abusive speaking out of your mouth.
Do not lie to one another: if you have put off the old man with his evil habits, And have put on the new life, which is renewed in the true knowledge after the image of him that created you,
The new body where there is no difference between Greek or Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, a slave, or a free man: But Christ is all, and in all things.
Now then as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of;
mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering: being merciful to one another, and forgiving one another,
if any man has a quarrel with another: even as Christ forgave you, you are to forgive them.
And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, for you are all called in to one body; and be thankful:
Let the word of Christ abundantly dwell in you, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing your own selves, in Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness and grace in your hearts to the Lord,
And whatever you will do, in word or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
As Christians we should have as little desire for the things of this world as a dead man.
But what do we desire? A new or bigger home, a new or bigger vehicle, that latest gadget or toy, clothing, tools, books, texting, fame, glory, power, wealth; a bank account, a retirement fund, that person, that thing; whatever it is we are to let it go and only desire Christ and the Father.
Doesn’t matter what it is for if we think we need anything beyond God and His love we are deceived. For that the Lord God is our provider, yes but He is also our provision, and beyond Him we have need of nothing. We are to put off, stay away from all fornication, immoral thoughts and acts, anything impure, improper affection, evil desires, greed, wrath anger, malice, slander, and abusive speech from our mouths.
And we are to nourish and develop a heart of mercies, compassion and kindness, we are to live in humility, we are to be meek, gentle and patience, longsuffering: being merciful to one another, and forgiving one another,
It seems like love to me, for if we are what 1st Corinthians 13 says love is, if we were living in that manner, all of the above would be taken care of.
What is LOVE
1st Corinthians 13:
Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is not jealous
Love does not brag
Love is not arrogant
Love does not act unbecomingly
Love does not seek its own
Love is not provoked
Love does not take into account a wrong suffered
Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth
Love bears all things
Love believes all things
Love hopes all things
Love endures all things.
Love never does fall away,
even if prophesying’s was abolished, or the speaking in tongues cease, or knowledge vanish away.
For now we only know in part, and we only prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect, is come, then that which is in part will be abolished.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child: I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see as through a darkened glass: but then we will see face to face. For now I know in part: but then I will know even as I am known. And now abide faith, hope and love, even these three: but the greatest of these is love.
Love is rather important to Christ; it seems to be the greatest Commandment. Our affections should be for the Father, Christ and to live within His guidance and teachings as we are guided by the Holy Spirit. And sense the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all one and Christ is love, then that leads me to believe that we are to be love to this world just as Christ has love towards us.
Tommorow; The Greatest Commandment