Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:9-10
I hope that today we will think about these things…
Love that is sincere is never about seeking to gain; it is honest and for the benefit of another. To hate what is evil is to have absolutely nothing to do with it, no matter how attractive it is. It isn’t necessarily about making a fuss at something we don’t like, but rather to seek that which is pure and good. Being devoted to one another in love is not about romance or sensuality, but rather it is about putting others ahead of ourselves; serving their interests instead of our own.
Yes, we should think hard on these things today, for they speak of godly relationships with others, relationships that are all about putting others first. When you really think on these things, you come to understand that this is how Jesus lived; it is exactly what He modeled for us to follow. How sad it is that so many do not think on these things!
I write frequently here about making disciples, and how that is our calling, our reason for being. Think about these two short verses one more time; can you see them clearly in your mind? This is the environment in which disciples are made. When we love one another in this way, when we flee from evil, when we are devoted to one another and place others ahead of ourselves, we serve the Lord by serving each other, and the result is a picture of Christ’s love reflected in us to a dark world, and you know what?
The people who see this are going to want some of what you have!
Life Project Blog 
A great contemporary example of this Jesus life lived out was mother Teresa. I’ve recently been chastened, humbled, encouraged and inspired by the book FINDING CALCUTTA:What Mother Teresa Taught Me About Meaningful Work and Service by Mary Poplin. This life is authentic, joyfilled, tenderness and humility passionate for seeing the least as the face of Jesus and existing to lift, love
An excellent example, thank you! It’s encouraging to me that even those of us who are not like Mother Teresa can live our lives like Jesus in the plaes where we are with such examples before us
I remember reading where Jesus simply went about “turning water into wine.” Making every event a party. Bringing joy where there was once darkness. If Christians could just be quiet, gracious souls who brighten the world, who are optimistic, cheerful, and rejoicing always, we could transform the world.
Right on target, thanks for that!
I’m so glad to read this post, because the admonition to “love genuinely” is something I need to be reminded of. I can get lazy, and put on a smile and a compliment sometimes, when all I want is to say just the right thing so the person will go away. I believe we all have a great capacity to love, so I want to hone my own skills for the rest of my life.
The part about “hating what is evil,” makes me very uncomfortable. My degrees are in Anthropology, and in the course of that study, I had it firmly imprinted on my mind that I am never the right person to decide what is wrong, or evil. I studied a hundred examples of peoples’ circumstances that made things that might initially seem evil, turn out to be rational and sane. I have also learned that humans are wretched at translating their holy books in attempts to decide what their god/allah/yaweh/jehova has labeled as evil.
I will stick to trying to strengthen my love.
I understand what you mean, and yet who ever said that evil needs to e irrational? It seems to me that what is evil is that which is opposed to God. Hitler did many evil things, but for the most part, they we rational from his point of view, yet they were obviously in opposition to God. Anyway, just a thought. We can’t go wrong in showing genuine love to others!