I have written about love previously, but I felt compelled to do so again when I read this scripture.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Romans 12:9-19
I wonder how often we pretend to love. Honestly, I believe it happens all the time.
When we weigh genuine love according to these verses, we see it’s glaringly obvious, once again, that many of us really have no clue what it is. We say, “I love you” often because we feel some burst of emotion, but that’s not real love. That’s a fond affection. That’s not lasting. What does last?
The scripture shows us that genuine love hates wrong, clings to good, take delight in honoring others, is hard working, serves the Lord, and a list of other things. Can you honestly say this is how you love others?
It’s rather revealing and convicting, if you ask me.
I’ve discovered that more often than not, love in worldly terms has more to do with “me” than someone else. What’s in it for “me”? Am “I” happy? How are they treating “me”?
That’s not love at all according to Biblical standards.
Then it goes a step further instructing us to work at living at peace with others and not taking revenge. These are difficult things to do. But I’d much rather allow God the opportunity to defend me than to poorly attempt to defend myself. I choose to place that in His hands. I’ve personally seen His vindication in my life when I’ve done this and it’s a far better outcome than anything I would achieve. Are you brave enough to allow God to defend you?
I long to see a revolution of love. I’ll go first. I’ve really been pressing into this idea of genuine love and I’m devoting myself to begin to display it toward my family. I fail, but I get right back up and try again. My heart is working toward change. Change isn’t perfection, it’s effort.
I wonder how your family dynamics might also change if you embarked on this journey with me? How could it affect your work relationships? Church relationships? Friendships?
What if we decide to embark on a genuine love journey? I’m all in. I hope you are too!
365 Days in the Presence 