The Tie That Binds!

It has often been noted a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Each link must do its part to fulfill its purpose of holding together. Each one of us has a significant place in the church as well and we need to be mindful of what it is that is able to hold us strongly together for the sake of the church (our Lord's Body) and the glory of God.

In Paul's letter to the church at Colossae he exhorted. . .
"(12) Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (13) bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (14) And above all these put on LOVE, WHICH BINDS EVERYTHING TOGETHER IN PERFECT HARMONY." ( Colossians 3:12-14 ESV)

I have a Greek interlinear that has "co-chain" for the word "binds". The Greek word used by Paul here is "sudesmos" whose root, "desmos", is a band, fetter, or anything for tying (from "deo", to bind or fasten with chains). "Sundesmos" is an intensive form of the word. ("sun", with). [source: W.E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.]

In the beginning words of a hymn written by John Fawcett we read...
"Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above."

Remember Jesus said. . .
"(34) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, you also are to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. (35) BY THIS ALL PEOPLE WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU HAVE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER." ( John 13:34-35 ESV)

LOVE is the link that binds us with God. And that LOVE is powerful in its ability to keep us from being separated from Him. (i.e. Romans 8:38-39) LOVE is also the link that is to bind us together as Christians with one another. May it truly be the LOVE OF GOD that "co-chains" us strongly together so that the world is not able to pull us apart from either one another or from God.

Have a great day REMAINING PART OF GOD'S LOVE CHAIN!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Love