Sincere Love
What does sincere love look like?
Does this mean that I do not trash talk someone? We’ve been given many verses of “Christian living” throughout scripture! In Luke 10, Jesus said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind (sounds like all in, to me!) AND love your neighbor as yourself! Jesus did not exclude anyone from the word “neighbor.” This is a tough standard to live up to…and of course there is grace, thankfully. Each of us is given 365 days/year to keep “loving God” and “loving our neighbor.” In Romans chapter 12, we are also told this love must be sincere. A love born from within, from the very Spirit of God. As far as it depends on you…love others, care for them as you care for yourself.
Eugene Peterson in “The Message” paraphrases Romans 12: 9-21 this way:
Love from the center of who you are; do not fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Do not burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Do not quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies, no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they are happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. Do not hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you have got it in you, get along with everybody. Do not insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Do not let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Does this mean that I do not trash talk someone? We’ve been given many verses of “Christian living” throughout scripture! In Luke 10, Jesus said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind (sounds like all in, to me!) AND love your neighbor as yourself! Jesus did not exclude anyone from the word “neighbor.” This is a tough standard to live up to…and of course there is grace, thankfully. Each of us is given 365 days/year to keep “loving God” and “loving our neighbor.” In Romans chapter 12, we are also told this love must be sincere. A love born from within, from the very Spirit of God. As far as it depends on you…love others, care for them as you care for yourself.
Eugene Peterson in “The Message” paraphrases Romans 12: 9-21 this way:
Love from the center of who you are; do not fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Do not burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Do not quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies, no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they are happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. Do not hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you have got it in you, get along with everybody. Do not insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Do not let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
These verses describe living out a calling each day. This calling asks me to look beyond personal hurt and extend hospitality. I must seek to understand, to listen more than I speak. It is good to encourage and lift others up. This peace-living extends the gospel! Sometimes I have to speak!
4832 Ponder:
To whom could I extend inventive hospitality? Which neighbor (near or far away) needs to be encouraged, or offered hope? Who is pushing buttons for me that I need to pray for?
4832 Ponder:
To whom could I extend inventive hospitality? Which neighbor (near or far away) needs to be encouraged, or offered hope? Who is pushing buttons for me that I need to pray for?
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