A bond is a binding agent; that which binds together such as a band; likened to ligaments by which the members of the human body are united together; that which is bound together, a bundle. In Colossians chapter 3 Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:
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.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
If there is anything that I have observed in the last decade concerning the revelation of Love, it is that people shy away from fully embracing this revelation. In fact, many do an “about face” and move in another direction. Why? Once you receive a revelation you become accountable to walk in that revelation. If you don’t, corrective judgment begins its cycle. When Love arrives on the scene, it is the brightest light among all lights and those who are not ready to fully forgive will look for ways to redirect their focus.
If people have misused or abused you, your soulish man wants justice with the appropriate punishment- an eye for an eye. The problem is that we judge ourselves by our intent and everyone else by their actions. I look back at my life and I am thankful that FATHER did not bring down the hammer on my lawlessness but instead HIS Love and Wisdom prevailed and I received a sufficient dose of mercy with the appropriate judgment. In the final analysis, if we don’t walk in Love we are really punishing ourselves by restricting our opportunities for FATHER to do HIS good pleasure in our lives.
The stronger must bear the weaker. Jesus bore the weight of the world’s sin and sickness as written in Matthew chapter 8:
16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”
Being our Perfect Example, Jesus is showing us the way to walking in full maturity. Unless you embrace that same Love, you will be unable to fulfill your part in bringing forth the Kingdom. We must allow ourselves to put on the tender mercies and kindness toward those who are less mature in Christ. We must forgive their shortcomings and walk in kindness even though their actions are undeserving. Let us be their visual example of Christ.
Forgiveness is a deciding factor in embracing the revelation of Love. We must forgive one another and not let a person’s character fault cause division. A fault is an unattractive or unsatisfactory feature, especially in a piece of work or in a person’s character. Typically the person does not realize a character fault and is unwilling to be told about it. This weakness must be forgiven and allow FATHER to minister by HIS HOLY SPIRIT to correct such a flaw. At some point, the person will become pliable and will seek assistance in dealing with a fault. Love will express the appropriate words to correct the flaw and allow the person to remove it and grow beyond it. We must allow FATHER to root out anything that wants to interfere with the rooting of Love in our hearts.
As we put on the bond of perfection peace will rule in our hearts and we will become more thankful. I can attest to that reality as I grow in Love. No longer do many things that once irritated me have any hold on me. I am moved less by the things of the world and look forward to the fullness of peace in all areas of my life. I am much more thankful to simply be alive and for having a deeper relationship with FATHER. Let our bonds of perfection be strengthened with each other that we might come into the fullness as the Body of Christ fitly joined together!