READ IT SLOW: Highlighting points of Guidance in Colossians
PART 3: “Love Like Jesus”

Colossians (Kol-ah-shuns) is an epistle from the Apostle Paul and Timothy that speaks directly to living after the nature of Jesus Christ. I hope these points of guidance serve you, are edifying, and help you in bringing honor to the Lord Jesus. Please join me as we read and remember you can leave remarks in the comment section on this page.

Read Slowly. Read with purpose. Don’t rush.

Colossians 1: 15-29 (NET)
“He is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn over all creation, for all things in heaven and earth were created by him- all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers- all things were created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him. He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross- through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1:15-20 NET)

If you did not read slowly, go back and read the passage again. Rushing through Scripture is never a good idea.

When we look to the Lord Jesus, we are seeing what God is like in His nature manifest as a human.

The above verses speak to more than one reason God sent Jesus as a human. It is to the example Jesus set that we need to highlight. The fact is the fullness of God dwells in Jesus. Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 5:48 to be “perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

What does that mean?

It means to be perfect in our nature by loving others. The fullness of God dwells in Jesus because as a Man, He loved people. That may sound simplistic, but that is the goal. We are to love God and love others. The One Human who did this best is affirmed in Scripture to have the fullness of God dwelling in Him.

Friends, we can do it as well since the Spirit Jesus baptizes His disciples with is His spirit… the Holy Spirit. Being perfect is about loving. We who have been reconciled to God out of sin and the power of death. Understand that the perfection and fullness of God that was pleased to dwell in the Son was about the Father and Son’s love for us. I am emphasizing love because many people seem to have trouble with the idea of being perfect. They know their deeds do not add up to perfection, but they do love Jesus.

Keep in mind God doesn’t think we will be faultless the moment He baptizes us in the Holy Spirit. He provides grace for a reason, but He has set the standard in Christ. Christ is the head which holds all things together. Therefore, our deeds should reflect the deeds of Jesus, but with the understanding that it is by His grace that we continue is His love and learn to love others.

How well are you loving others?
What defines your love?

BMD