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“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.” Rom. 12:9&10 (NLT)

Who would ever conceive of pretending to care about others? Absolutely not me – those were the first words out of my mouth. But you know honesty is the key to growth and if I’m leaning towards the truth zone, I’d better rethink those words. It’s too easy to say we care when deep down we really don’t. How many times have we listened to prayer requests, even prayed over names and then later shared the tidbits of yes, gossip, adding our own judgements? What about those moments when we’re sharing the love because everyone and all things are going our way? Our love is strictly dependent on how well they treat us, agree with us and sing our praises.

A friend sent me this verse, and God unpacked it all week long. Each day I prayed these words and asked God to help me delight in honoring others. Monday and Tuesday were victories – goal achieved. Easy going until the chaos of a deadline Wednesday arrived. Those words “really love them” haunted me. Between computer issues, various challenging personalities and the endless growing list, I had very little love in my heart. Biting my lips, yet allowing dislike to penetrate my soul.

The Apostle Paul wrote these words in Romans 12 and I couldn’t help but think how they must have penetrated his heart. He was a persecutor of Christians – one who showed no honor, respect or love towards those who disagreed with his beliefs. Until Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus, his life dripped of pretense and legalism. The shining light blinding his eyes truly removed the scales from his heart. Paul’s mission from that point on was to share the good news of Jesus Christ with anyone he met. Even in his dying moments, Paul didn’t judge or ridicule his accusers.

Wow talk about transformation and yet if we have accepted Christ as our Savior, our love should be just as real. Too many excuses. Too many exceptions. Too many denials. Too many – too manys. We’ve all got reasons to let ourselves slide on who we chose to love. But is that what God intended – absolutely not! Take it from one (Paul) who knows the power of love and harness the joy of truly delighting in honoring others.

“Father, our paths will always cross with those we find hard to love – help us to not excuse away your commands to really love them and hold on tightly to what is good.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life