In Romans 12 Paul challenges the church in Rome to love. He calls us to love without hypocrisy. He calls us to commit to loving in a profound way. Love is different from being nice. Love is real. Love is committed. Love rejoices with those who rejoice. Love weeps with those who weep. Love always seeks good. Love values people no matter what they can give us. Real love even blesses enemies!
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. – Romans 12:9-13
Think about the profound power such love has. Such love walks with the hurting. Such love gives those who long for a connection a place to connect with real people. Such love woos an enemy until the enemy is won over. Such love shows the world that Jesus means it when He says that He loves. Such love looks like Jesus.
Does our love look like Jesus? Does it look like Him when we are hearing the pain of others? Does it look like Jesus when we see a brother or sister in need? Does it look like Jesus when an enemy is struggling? Does our love look like Jesus when the lost persecutes us?
It is hard sometimes to remember that the standard of our love is not what we see around us in our friendships and families. It is not even that nice neighbor who always seems to have a smile for others. Even though these are good examples, our real standard of love is Jesus. His commitment, His fervency, and His steadfastness is our calling. Let, as Paul encouraged, “love without hypocrisy.” Let us love like Jesus.
Something to think about,
Pastor John
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