Put on Love

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:14-15)

Paul has just given us a list of virtues to put on, but now he says, Above all these, put on love. Why? Because love binds everything together in perfect harmony. Without love, compassion can be cold, kindness can be self-serving, humility can be pride in disguise, meekness can be weakness, and patience can be mere tolerance. Love transforms them all into Christlike character because God Himself is love.

But Paul doesn’t stop there. He tells us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. That word “let” implies we have a choice—God’s peace is available, but we can resist it. We can fight Him, wrestle Him like Jacob did, and insist on controlling our own hearts. Or we can surrender, allowing His peace to take the throne and call the shots in our life. This peace is not just the absence of conflict—it’s the presence of God’s ruling authority, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus—if we let it .

And then, a simple but profound command: Be thankful. Gratitude is a choice. Science has confirmed what Scripture has long said—our human mind cannot dwell on gratitude and anxiety at the same time. One displaces the other. So when anxiety comes knocking, answer with thanksgiving. Let love bind, let peace rule, and let gratitude flow. The result? A heart in harmony with God and others.