Today I’m taking on Romans and the subject is Love. The verse is below:
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[c] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (via biblegateway, NIV version)
Love is one of those emotions that has been featured in nearly every media we know. Books, movies, radio shows, music, plays, musicals and even reality shows. It is probably the biggest emotional reaction and feeling we know. To be loved and to love someone is something every desires and hungers for every day.
The first part of this verse really makes clear that sincerity must be had. Devoting yourself to someone, putting them ahead of yourself, be hospitable to those around you and do it all with the humbleness of God. That’s one very tall order. I think the best part of this verse is where it says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” When trials and tribulations are hitting you sideways you must excercise patience and prayer.
I know it seems like a simple solution to the problem, but it’s a good reminder for me that prayer and time alone focusing on my relationship with God can help make the times seem a little better. Strength is found within Him.
This verse also hits the whole idea of humbleness pretty much like a dead horse would be beaten. Do not be proud it says. Do not be conceited it implores. It even suggests you love that cursed nemesis that is your enemy. If they are hungry, cook ‘em up some chicken. Thirsty? Get ‘em some sweet tea. It makes the point that evil cannot overcome without good. It’s the old adage, “Kill ‘em with Kindness” and it works. Giving the gift of love covers so much ground in so many places of our lives I’m not sure we really understand how it all works. This verse implores us to whenever possible that we should live at peace with everyone.
Notice it says, “If it is possible.” God understands humanity more than we do sometimes. Humanity has forever been broken since the day of Adam and Eve. Perfection and Peace will never be completely had in all corners of the world. Realizing that and understanding how much love we should be giving out is a very fascinating discovery.
All in all the biggest lesson in this can be taken from the first sentence. “Love is sincere.”
That’s where it starts. The rest is a snowball affect.
