Be Joyful In Hope, Patient In Affliction, Faithful In Prayer
Love Others As We Love Ourselves
ROMANS 12:9-13
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
”Romans 12:9-13 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.12.9-13.NKJ
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God calls us believers to a real genuine love for others that goes far beyond being hypocritical and polite.
It’s easy to put on a smile and hug, but is it heart felt?
Most of us have learned how to be courteous and diplomatic to others, avoiding hurting their feelings and to appear to take interest in them.
We may even be skilled in showing compassion when we hear of others needs or to become indignant when we learn of injustice.
But God calls us to love others as we love ourselves. This is not a command to love ourselves, though we cannot love others until we do, it is recognition that we do love ourselves and a command to love others just as genuinely and sincerely.
Truly, truly, I tell you, that you can love yourself because despite your every failure, God chose to love you.
You can forgive yourself of your shortcomings because God has chosen to forgive you, and you can choose to like yourself because God chose to like you.
Furthermore, despite your sinful past, you can walk without shame, for God washes away all guilt and shame.
“”Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
Isaiah 1:18 NKJV
My beloved, Jesus paid it all, but “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:1-5 NKJV
God’s love is a decision that requires concentration and effort; it means helping others even if it cost, without expectation of something in return.
God’s love excludes lies, manipulation and deception. Therefore, when we genuinely love, we automatically fulfil the prohibitions of the Law (see MATHEW 22:37-40).
Christian hospitality is different from social entertaining; the focus is on the guest rather than on the host, their successes which lift them up, and care in regard to their shortcomings, such as a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, and acceptance, and not for a price, but out of genuine unconditional love.
It is not always easy to love others God’s way, it often requires forgiveness and understanding.
But by involving God in regular prayer and rejoicing in the hope we can love simply because God loved us first (1 JOHN 4:19).
He loves us despite our faults and failings, and therefore we can love others despite their faults and failings.
I am not saying we have to like what they do or have done; we must hate the sin and love the person. The same applies to ourselves.
After all, God created every one. He doesn’t want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to Him in repentance (2 PETER 3:9).
He loves us all! In fact, He sacrificed His life that that we might live.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s own life for his friends (JOHN 15:13).
My brethren two wrongs cannot possibly make a right, therefore, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:14-21 NKJV
Therefore my beloved, be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
