Spiritual Superglue

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Col 3:14 AV)

Paul is not foreign to this truth.  He writes and entire chapter in first Corinthians regarding charity.  In that chapter, he compares all the gifts and calling of God against charity and concludes that charity is the greatest of all aspirations.  Here, Paul states that charity is that aspect of the Christian graces that completes the saint of God.  That which strikes the attention this morning is that one little word, ‘…bond...’.  It means just what we think it means.  It means that which binds together.  That which holds it altogether.  When we tend to slip in other Christian graces, it is charity that holds it altogether.  When we begin to lapse into a state of self-pleasure, it is charity towards others that keeps it altogether.  Charity is the glue that holds all other graces in place.  When other graces are stretched, it is charity that keeps our testimony and effectiveness in check.

 Charity overcomes all human frailties.  Looking as First Corinthians chapter thirteen, we see charity overcome impatience, a critical spirit, envy, pride, brutishness, selfishness, anger, malice, and revenge.  Charity is the ingredient that overcomes all our carnal and wicked traits of the heart.  Charity is what keep is patient.  Charity is what motivates us to forgive.  Charity, it is said, “that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good.” (Webster’s 1828 dictionary) Charity is the absolute spirit of Christ.  That attitude of the heart that desire to empty self of all interest and do for others what they cannot do for themselves.

 I have a brother who had this interesting hobby.  He used to make jigsaw puzzles and then frame them as give them as gifts.  It had to be done a certain way or it would not have been successful.  He could not assemble the puzzle and frame it tight in the frame, expecting the interconnectivity of the pieces to hold it together.  Over time, moisture and temperature would slightly change the fit of the frame and the puzzle and there was a possibility a piece or two might become dislodged.  He had to flip the puzzle over, apply glue on the back, and attach a piece of cardboard.  The glue held each individual piece connected to another; each connected somehow to the whole, as a single picture.  As long as the glue held, the picture was whole.  If the glue dried and flaked, then a piece might go missing and it would be evidence that the glue failed behind that piece.

 So, too, is charity.  If charity is strong, then patience is seen.  If charity is the principle grace, then envy is well hid.  If charity does not dry out and flake off, then a critical spirit is not possible.  Charity, or the desire to be a blessing to all, will hid a multitude of sin and make the person of God complete in Him!