12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 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. Col 3:12-14

There is something of an overarching importance that love seems to play. It’s a virtue that encompasses everything. Here it is introduced as coming “over” the other virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. It binds them all together in perfect unity. In 1 Cor 13:13 it is said to be the greatest over faith and hope. And finally in 1 Pet 4:8 we read, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins”.

OK, how will these teachings affect your work today if you internalise them and endeavour to live by them. Sometimes, our clients, colleagues, bosses, friends or family are “unlovable”. Well unlovable is one thing but what Matthew 5:44-48 teaches is quite another. I leave you with these sobering Scriptures and also leave you to see what to do with them today: “44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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