“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.“
Romans 12:9-16
–
Serving alongside other people in our church has taught me so much about putting the love I proclaim into action. Growing up, I learned that service was my Christian duty and obligation. Sometimes I felt that if I was not serving enough, I was not being a good Christian.
Today I realize that this sense of responsibility for the body of Christ is good, but serving out of fear instead of love was not the right motivation. When I came to the USA for the first time at age 22, I engaged with a ministry from my Christian College and found joy in serving others without fear of failing. I found enormous level of fulfillment in watching how God could use me to bless others.
In this passage, Paul provides direction for living out genuine love within the Christian community. He begins by emphasizing the sincerity of love, urging believers to hate what is evil and to cling tightly to what is good. Genuine love is a feeling and an emotion but is demonstrated through actions and attitudes.
Paul then highlights several practical expressions of genuine love. He calls believers to be devoted to one another, prioritizing the needs and interests of others above their own. This selfless attitude fosters unity and harmony within the body of Christ, as each member cares for others and regards them more important than themselves.
Furthermore, Paul encourages believers to maintain zeal and fervor in their service to the Lord. This fervent spirit drives us to wholeheartedly engage in God’s work, serving Him with passion and dedication. Whether it be through acts of mercy, hospitality, or prayer, we are called to serve the Lord enthusiastically and diligently.
Paul emphasizes the importance of generosity and hospitality. Believers are called to share with those in need, demonstrating Christ’s love and compassion. Hospitality held significant importance among early Christians, as many lacked the means to stay at hotels or lodging places while traveling. Instead, they relied on the generosity and provision of other Christians for accommodation and support. This type of mentality is what guides our church and leadership to evaluate the needs of our community and make decisions to implement programs or utilize resources from the church to love people in and out of the church.
Reflecting on these verses, let us consider how we each can continue to embody genuine love in our lives. If you are not investing time in serving your community, perhaps consider the possibility of engaging in this kind of worship.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- In what ways am I currently demonstrating sincere love in my relationships and interactions with others?
- What practical steps can I take to extend generosity and hospitality to those in need, reflecting Christ’s love and compassion in tangible ways?
Church Reading Plan: Ecclesiastes 12; Philemon