READ

Romans 12:9-10: ⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.

EXAMINE

Paul says our love for one another must be without hypocrisy. In other words, believers are to display a love that genuinely seeks the spiritual, physical and holistic well-being of others. In his book to the church at Corinth, Paul describes for us what love looks like in a believer’s life. Paul writes to the church in Corinth –“Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self- seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.” If we are to live the faithful Christian life God is calling us to live, we must be focused and faithful to obey God’s instruction through Paul in these 2 potent and powerful verses. Loving brothers and sisters in Christ isn’t optional for mature believers, but is a command for all followers of Jesus. Let us be people who love well.

APPLY

Make a plan to do a kind act of love for someone this week. This could be as simple as writing a personal note to a spouse, coworker, or friend or doing something like inviting a friend to lunch to check-in on how they are doing. Whatever you decide, make it your goal to be intentional this week to show genuine love to someone in your life.

PRAY

Take a moment to pray for the Holy Spirit to give you the confidence and courage to take steps to show His love this week. Ask Him to show you how to love those in your life who aren’t easy to love.