Romans
12:9-10 Love
must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one
another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Love is a wonderful
attribute. Love is an attribute that must be cultivated in all Christians. It
is not our natural tendency to love others as Scripture defines love. Twice in
the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 13 and here, Paul speaks of the nature of
Godly love. Jesus says that we are to love one another as He has loved us. So
again Paul gives us a description of that kind of love.
Paul says you can fake love.
You can pretend to love but in your heart harbor envy, malice or greed towards
others. Love should be sincere, God knows what you are really thinking.
Love despises it’s
antithesis, evil. Love works to remove evil and the wrong that we find in
ourselves and others. Love becomes a barrier to prevent evil from harming
others. If we exhibit love then we become the barrier for others when evil
approaches. Loving our family and friends teaches us to be a protective
influence in their lives. The marketing slogan says: “Real friends don’t let
friends do drugs”. That is the type of love that protects us from evil.
Love looks for the good in
others. Evil or malice or hatred may be present but the loving brother or
sister is insistent on finding the good that is surely in others. God does not
make junk. Find the good and nurture that in the other person. You can find
common ground in the good that others exhibit. The good becomes the bond and
basis for your relationship. From this perspective you can begin influence the
other person for God’s glory.
Love makes us devoted to
finding the good in others and bringing the best of God’s world to bear on that
other person. Love enables us to think more highly of others and their needs
than ourselves. Love becomes less selfish and more devoted to God’s will for
your friends.
