June 1, 2018 Friday

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” (Romans 12:9-13 NKJV)

            While this may seem to be a long list of things to live out which is impossible for us maybe we should see this as a call to love and the rest of the call as a way for us to see if we truly want to love?

            Some parts of this passage reminds us of Paul’s definition of love in 1Corinthians 13 which is some of the most beautiful and amazing writing.  It is very easy to see love as a feeling or to see lust as love but true love is very different.

            There is not enough space here to discuss the four main words for love in Greek and that is a good study to make and see the different levels of love.  A good book on love is The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis.

            In defining love Paul helps us see true love is made up of the choices we make to put someone before us and with joy serve and care for God and those in our life.  Love is offering ourselves to others and seeking to help them find stability so they can grow.

            We are called to “abhor” evil and its destructive nature.  Love is NOT allowing people to remain in their sin but seeking to call them to God and to a life of loving God by faith and obedience.  Our love for God is a choice as is our obedience just as God’s love was a choice to redeem us and the obedience of Jesus to offer His life for us.

            To love God is to spend time developing a relationship with God by reading the Bible which is 66 love letters from God and spending time in prayer.  To love others is to lift them to God by praying for them and guiding them to spend time in the Bible.

            Love is so much more than those without God can understand (sometimes even those who know God).  The proof is seen in the drastic difference between Valentine’s Day and Saint Valentine. What started as recognition of the Saint who lived out love has become a day of merchandise and often lust.

            How do you define love and how do you live love out?  Is your love more about you or about God and others?  What difference does love make in your life?

            It continues to be very painful and hard times.  I pray for God to enable me to go to worship Sunday.