Putting On the Bond Of Perfectness

And above all these things put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness,

and let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called in one body;

and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly in all wisdom; 

teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do

in word or deed, do all in the name 

of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks

to God and the Father by him.

Colossians 3:14-17

     The Greek word used here as "charity" is the same word used for the love of God that is a principled love and this a requirement for all Authentic Christians to do, put on "Love." "Put on," or "add," are words that are to be implemented here for their is no separate word, which Greek has for those words, due to the fact that the Greek word: τούτοις, which is masculine or neuter, depending on the context, and is dative plural, to do something is a good English translation, what thing? Love, Charity, all to be put on therefore there is this meaning: we have something to do.

     Love, a word tossed around in English, this is partly due that we only have one word to say love for anyone, or anything, and love is indefinite to most of us, we do not know what we mean when we talk of love. What is love? Love is the sovereign preference of one person for another, not an inanimate object that cannot love back, and has its foundation spiritually by the command of Jesus and our love for Him: "If any man come to me, and hate not his father or mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26). Now, this is a love so deep that the only way to apply this in our lives is to completely convert to Jesus Christ and Him alone, all love for all others spring from that love. The only way this can happen is that the Holy Spirit spreads the Love of God in our hearts, then Jesus Christ can be put first in our lives, and by this spread to others. This does not occur all at once for God has not remade you as He will do upon His Second Coming, so you still have that fallen nature so you must work out these things mentioned. 

     Do you want peace? If so, then God must be the ruler of your heart. As Authentic Christians we are all one body, even though there may be different denominations, all Authentic Christians are of one body. It is by the word of God that we can come to understand what God requires of us and then by our application we come to a knowledge that is added to our virtue (2Peter 1: 5-8). Here is wisdom! Wisdom does not come to a saving knowledge of that wisdom is the wisdom of the world or from a person intellect, no, it comes only from God and this is found in His word. Then we are to teach and admonish others so they too will grow in their sanctification. 

     Music, a much debated subject among Christians. Should we, should not, or can we, or can we not, and what instruments are to be used, etc., etc., and so on goes the debate. Yes, all music must be doctrinally sound, uplifting, and teaching the Gospel, aiding people through music to make changes in their lives to conform to the word of God. As with many things, preaching, teaching, etc., music can be misused, so as with all things we examine music to see if it is worthy of God and our worship. If one likes the old hymns, ok, or if they like the more liturgical forms, ok, but to act like the world in presenting whatever music is to be presented, well, I must confess, this cannot be pleasing to God and has another agenda. But, we are to use music, therefore, do not condemn those who may be using music different from yours.... this is to sidetrack the most important part: the Gospel and our participation in spreading the Gospel. Therefore: "And whatsoever ye do

in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (vs. 17). 

   Form then this habit to follow God, to do what He has commanded and remember this: if we think we are being pious or godly, it is a passing thing, only a stage, but if we stop there then we will become a spiritual who is overly concerned with the observance of properties and lose sight o God. Let God press through in any particular circumstance until you gain Him, and life becomes the simple life of a child. Here is peace, a peace that is incomprehensible. It is there for you.

The mouth of the righteous 

     speaketh wisdom, and his

tongue talketh of judgment.

     The law of his God is in

his heart; none of his steps

     shall slide.

                   Psalm 37:30-31

Sing praises to God: He is your Savior

Richard L. Crumb