Let Your Love Be Real
(NRSV)Rom 12:9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
Today as much of the world is embroiled in turmoil, I thought it might be helpful to read Paul’s instructions on how Christians should behave. Paul’s letter to the Romans begins with the doctrinal issues of our faith, and then necessarily moves into putting our beliefs into practice.
When we take a closer look at the above passage we see that our love is to be genuine. How do we cultivate such love? It all starts with Jesus.
We used to sing the following chorus:
“I love Him, I love Him,
Because He first loved me,
And purchased my salvation on Calvary’s tree.
When we understand God’s love, so pure and sacrificial, how can we respond in any other way than with an authentic love for Him and for all of his creation? Well, it’s called life.
I used to say loving God is easy, but loving people is hard. Loving others is easy as long as they are lovable. But are others always lovable? Am I?
The answer, of course, is no. Oh, well, I guess that lets me off the hook. Surely God will understand if I don’t love the mean-spirited, the proud, the phony—or really anyone who offends me.
Do I really believe that? Does the Bible teach that? Or am I just looking for excuses?
May God grant us today the ability to be genuine in our love toward Him, and our interactions with others.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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