SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE


Knowing how to get started reading the Bible can be tricky. But don’t get discouraged! No matter how far you’ve come in your faith, everyone has struggled with reading the Bible at some point. That’s why we put together some Scripture meditations like this one to help you get started.

Put on Love

Anyone else cringe a little at the idea of “bearing with” people? It’s a sure signal that it’s not gonna be an easy process to stick it out. But it’s also the exact thing we’re called to do. When we choose to “put on love,” it empowers us to bear with people, forgive them, and find unity.

In this Scripture meditation, a couple relevant verses from Colossians 3 walk us through real-life application of this command. Check it out!

Colossians 3:13-14

“13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Observations from the Text

  • Conflict happens in community (v. 13)
  • The Lord generously forgave us (v. 13)
  • We can extend the same forgiveness to others (v. 13)
  • True love is what enables forgiveness (v. 14)

Prayers of Response

God, I admit that I wasn’t patient with _________ (name) when _________.

I praise you for the ways I’ve witnessed love and unity through _________.

Prayer Requests

Help me to believe that you’ve forgiven me completely for _________.

Please give _________ (name) the strength to forgive _________ (name), even in the midst of a complicated, difficult situation.

Prayers of Readiness

Today, when l feel burdened by the call to bear with _________ (name), I will bring it to you in prayer instead of exhausting myself trying to force patience.

As I _________ today, I will choose to “put on love” for the sake of unity and others.

 

This page has our stockpile of Scripture meditations that we believe help us connect with God in our everyday lives. Check it out for more relevant explorations of biblical wisdom!

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™