The Most Authentic Way
Love is Sincere – Part 1
Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9-21
Key Verse: Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
For the last eight days we have seen that love is the most excellent way. However, we must realize that is only true if it is authentic love we are living out! Our printed key verse for today reminds us that love must be sincere. It does not say it should be, or it would be nice if your love was real. God says to you and me: our love must be sincere!
In the next few days we are going to study how to make sure this is truth for us who call ourselves Christ followers! The reason study is essential is the fact that insincere love can be easily substituted for the real thing. This happens not by big eventful decisions but by small daily slips in our judgments that lead to being insincere in our love. The longer we are in the church, the more we learn the “rules” of engagement. In other words, too often people start imitating behaviors of those around them without having a heart transformation by the Living Savior. Of course it is good to be mentored, after receiving Jesus, by a mature Christ follower, but God wants everyone to enjoy their own real heart change—from hateful to loving…from selfish to giving…from prideful to humble! We don’t have to pretend; God is real and His work in us is real! Love can be sincere in a Christ follower; it must be!
Father, I grant you permission to do your authentic work in me. I want to be the real thing. Change me from the inside out! In Jesus’ name, amen.