His Clothes. Colossians 3:14. Love is the heart and soul of Christianity. Love surpasses all the gifts of the Spirit because it lasts forever and is the fundamental characteristic of God. The principle of love governs all that God does; that same principle is the motive behind everything we are, say, and do. Without love guiding us, the other gifts can become distorted, disorganized, and dysfunctional. Wearing love like a wide belt keeps all the other virtues in the garments of righteousness in place and allows them to be used effectively. The band of love unites all other Christian virtues and makes everything function smoothly without confusion.
The qualities of love ensure all other parts of the garment—holiness, mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, and forgiveness—work together to uphold the unity essential for the garment of righteousness. Love unites all virtues as a key covering and supports fellowship and function within the body.
What is our brother in Christ wearing that seems so fitting for his nature, as well as the gifts and offices he holds? It is genuine, holy love. Those garments of charity on that beloved sister are so appropriate; she is outwardly and inwardly beautiful. Every seam and fold of charity matches perfectly with the other virtues it supports. Seeing a person clothed with divine qualities and maintaining them through love reflects deity.
Every attribute, movement, and character trait is connected by love, and proper impressions are made that reveal the love of our Savior and the reality of His grace, which has united us in Christ and made us one body in the Lord. The garment of love, which is so essential to be visible, reveals the attraction of holiness that should be apparent in the lives and actions of believers. Love as a garment isn't gushy, nor does it merely flatter people. It covers all flesh and pride that exalt a person above the Lord Jesus Christ. Love attracts; it isn’t pushy or forceful in trying to stand out over all other Christian character traits. Love unifies all the other character traits and displays the person's value and our Lord Jesus's worth.
When worn as a garment, love gives far more than it takes. Love is not just a piece of clothing that looks good; it embodies what the mouth speaks. Like a garment, love unites what the flesh would seek to divide. When love is applied to the whole person, failures and mistakes are hidden behind the genuine desire for another’s well-being and the value placed upon them. Love, a bond of virtue, makes all other virtues function correctly and harmoniously. Love is genuine and enables us to walk in God's light.