Let Love Be Sincere
Romans 12:9-21
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in 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 the Lord’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.16 Or willing to do menial work Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”19 Deut. 32:35 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.”20 Prov. 25:21,22
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Love (“Agape”):
- sincere/without dissimulation/without hypocrisy
- clinging to what is good
- devoted
- honorable
- having spiritual fervor
- serving the Lord
- joyful in hope
- patient in affliction
- faithful in prayer
- shared with those in need
- practicing hospitality
What can I do? How can I help?
TODAY'S PREACHER
Randy Reese is Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC