“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
(Colossians 3:14)
Division has plagued humanity since the fall, when sin destroyed the harmony between God and man in Eden, setting brother against brother, tribe against tribe, and nation against nation. In families, communities, and churches, schisms arise from pride, jealousy, and bitterness, fracturing relationships meant to reflect God’s unity.
And only God’s redemptive plan through Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection can mend this breach, reconciling sinners to a holy God, as Ephesians 2:14-22 declares: Christ “is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” “Though our divisions are very great, God can and will heal all the breaches of his saints.”[1] Scripture promises that in eternity, God will unite His people, erasing all discord (Isa. 2:4; 11:6-9; Jer. 32:39; Zech. 14:9) and restoring perfect fellowship in His presence.
Until that day, Paul calls believers in Colossians 3 to pursue unity, urging those “risen with Christ” to seek heavenly things (v. 1). He commands us to “put off” sins—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy communication—that sow division (v. 8) and to “put on” the new man, reflecting God’s image (v. 10).
Paul’s prescription continues in verses 12-13: clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with and forgiving one another as Christ forgave us. The capstone is love, “the bond of perfectness” (v. 14), capable of uniting believers across all divisions, whether Greek or Jew, slave or free, because “Christ is all, and in all” (v. 11). This kind of love, rooted in faith and repentance, mirrors Christ’s reconciling work and is required to bind God’s people in harmony.
Division is treacherous, breeding sins like judgmentalism, gossip, or delighting in others’ misfortune (Prov. 21:24; Neh. 6:6; Ezek. 25:6-7). It invites God’s judgment and leads to ruin (Hosea 10:2; Judg. 5:5). Unity, however, glorifies God and mirrors the oneness Christ prayed for in John 17:23.
By practicing compassion, forgiveness, and love, we counter the world’s discord and become instruments of Christ’s peace. We must remember that division fractures God’s family, but love, as the bond of perfectness, can heal these breaches and unite us as one in Christ. Let us therefore work diligently, guided by the Spirit, to foster unity in the family of God.
Contemplations:
- Healing spiritual division. When I think of being spiritually divided, it strikes me how this disconnection goes beyond just disagreements or debates. I am reminded of Paul’s confession in Acts 26:9, where he was divided in his very purpose and goal before meeting Christ. It prompts me to evaluate whether I am genuinely united in purpose with God. Lord, align my heart with Your will, fostering unity through faith and love, that I may reflect Your reconciling grace.
- Rooting out division’s causes. When I consider idolatry, covenant-breaking, and pride as highlighted in Judges 5:8, Leviticus 26:25, and Jeremiah 13:9-14, I realize that these sins are real-world issues. It makes me question where my allegiances lie and whether they are causing a division between me and God or others. Lord, purge my heart of pride and idolatry, uniting me to You and Your people through humility.
- Heeding division’s consequences. Zechariah 13:14 speaks of division as a form of judgment. It’s sobering to think that the strife and discord we witness might be a form of divine judgment. I feel the need to heed the warnings of the Scripture and work against any source of division in my life, turning instead toward unity. Lord, help me pursue peace, avoiding sin that invites Your judgment (Eph. 4:3).
- Pursuing love’s unity. When I read Colossians 3:14-15, it hits home that love is the ultimate “bond of perfectness.” If I want to be part of the solution, love must be my guiding principle. And not just a sentimental love but a love that is deeply rooted in faith in Christ, repentance, and humility, which draw me closer to God and others. Lord, fill me with Your love to foster unity in Your body.
Prayer (Thanksgiving)
O merciful and unifying God, You are the fountain of all love, whose Son, Jesus Christ, bridged the chasm between You and fallen humanity through His death and resurrection. I worship You for Your reconciling grace and for binding us in Your love, the bond of perfectness. Your promise to heal all divisions fills me with gratitude. You have made us one in Christ, and I stand amazed at Your power to unite.
I confess that I have often caused division through pride, anger, and unforgiveness. My heart has stirred up strife instead of peace. I have failed to put on love, neglecting Your call to unity in Your body. Forgive me for these sins, for grieving Your Spirit and dishonoring Christ’s sacrifice.
I thank You, Lord, for Christ’s work on the cross, breaking down the wall of separation and uniting me to You. I am grateful for Your promise of eternal unity, as Isaiah 2:4 assures, where all discord will cease. Thank You for Paul’s call in Colossians 3:14 to put on love, guiding me to forgiveness and humility.
Your grace empowers me to bear with others and thereby reflect Your reconciling love. I rejoice in being part of Your body, united in Christ. Use me to share Your Gospel of peace. And fill me with Your Spirit to live in love until I dwell in Your eternal harmony.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further References for Colossians 3:14:
Heb. 6:1; 1 Cor. 13:1; Eph. 4:3; John 17:23.
[1] Edward Leigh, A System or Body of Divinity (London: A.M. for William Lee, 1654), 355.
