Love Above All
When Paul was writing to the believers in Colossae, he told them how to live as “God’s chosen ones” (Colossians 3:12-15). And, at one point, he writes:
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:14 ESV)
Similarly, when Peter was writing to believers scattered around the Roman empire, he told them:
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 ESV)
Above all… love. Both Paul and Peter write this to some of their readers.
Did they really mean “above all”? Isn’t there some circumstance or situation in which we are not required to show love? Isn’t there some person to whom we are not required to show love?
Or, did they actually expect believers to show love in all circumstances and situation and to all people?
Yes, but discipline over open sin can at times require a sort of “tough love.” But it is still love driven. And exercised between believers and an individual where there is an existing, loving relationship already in place.
I really don’t see how we extrapolate church discipline to mean one group against another group who don’t even know each other. (In the case of “tertiary separation,” you don’t even know those who know…confusing!).
I believe they meant it, and that they knew what they were talking about. We can do all kinds of religious stuff, but if we are not loving, we’re just wasting our time.
I believe they expected them to be like Christ and follow His words in Mt 22:37-40. Now there are circumstances where one might hate the sin of another, but not the sinner. Christ showed that when He cleared out the money changers from the temple. Mt 21:12-13. But of course the Adam in us sometimes brings out characteristics that might undermine that love. A child of God will recognize these times and take corrective actions.