Colossians 3:12-14 Love wins!

 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing…

The love of God given to us in Christ Jesus covered a multitude of the sins of mankind. Should we not love others  the same?  Love God above all and love others in the same manner that He loves us. Without His love as our base we are just making noise. Carla

Colossians 3:12-14

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as •Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (NKJV)

Since all of God’s fullness resides in Christ, every spiritual reality is found in Christ. In Him, we lack nothing. The Greek word theotētos for Godhead is used only here in the NT and designates the totality of God’s nature and person. All the fullness of the Godhead “dwells” or “permanently resides” in the body of Jesus, the God-man. The NKJV Study Bible.

Originally, God chose the nation of Israel to be His people (Deuteronomy14:2; Romans9:4–5). However, because such distinctions are rendered irrelevant in Christ (Colossians3:11), Paul affirms the Colossian believers as being among God’s chosen people. Believers must have patience with one another, even while enduring difficult situations. Even in the community of believers, the actions of some offend or hurt others; how believers respond is critical. Experiencing God’s forgiveness shows that believers must forgive one another (Luke 7:47). Faithlife Study Bible

Ephesians 4:2–3

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Ephesians 4:32

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

2 Corinthians 6:6

by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 

Philippians 2:1

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

Let us never forget, we do not lose our capacity to care. To make space. To be present.

To bless and be blessed.

Because here's the deal: Blessing is not separate from fraught or broken lives.  On the contrary; we pass this blessing on to one another, even from splintered and imperfect selves. (It makes sense to me that the word salvation, from the Latin "salve," means a balm, or ointment to heal.)

Because division and cynicism too easily grip us, we “miss” one another... meaning we miss opportunities to see, to hear, to love, to touch and to bless. But here's the part that befuddles me. So often when we do touch (or are blessed)—and it does happen very often—we don’t see it. Ahhh, but when we do see it (even when we are broken)... it is the very kiss of God.

I confess: It’s so easy to close my eyes, and emotionally take a pass, because I know how to do that. And I can let gloom get the best of me because I know how to do that too. But this isn’t the time for any one of us to be trapped by fear and judgment, demonization and division, or to be unsettled by cruelty.

Grace wins. Hope wins. Compassion wins.

This matters more than ever, in a divisive world, a world on edge, a world where a kind word or gesture makes all the difference. What we do, and who we are, touches lives, plain and simple. Sabbath Moments