Living Genuine Love – Romans 12:9-21
The Outline:
1) Genuine love in the church.
a) Our standard.
b) Our attitude.
c) Our effort.
2) Genuine love in the world.
a) Impartial.
b) Constructive.
c) Faithful.
Some Notes:
I’m using the first phrase in verse 9 as the reference point for the whole message.
Love must not be hypocritical. This means that actions are as much a part of the Christian life as is our profession. We are to have no ulterior (self-focussed) motive for our actions.
From this point we examine how genuine love is expressed in the church in verses 9-13.
The idea of abhoring evil/clinging to good calls for a discretion, or, in the words of the outline, our standard. The truth of God’s Word has to inform us about what we are to do and what we are not to do. This is not subjective behaviour. but neither is it a puffed up display of knowledge. This is not what we know, but how we put our knowledge into practice.
Our attitude should be one of brotherly/familial love for one another, and demonstrate a level of honour that prefers others to ourselves. Put others first, ourselves last. It also means that we consider each other with the highest esteem.
Our effort should be Spirit filled, enthusiastic, consistent and joyful. All areas of Christian life, such as prayer, service and hospitality.
The broader scope of 14-21 embraces Christian fellowship and expands our scope to include how we relate to those who aren’t Christians.
The exhortation to bless those who persecute you echoes Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:44. Paul’s further words: bless and do not curse embraces the fullness of the Lord’s precept.
Share joy and tears, living in harmony. Verse 16 is reminiscent of James chapter 2.
This brings to mind the need for a constructive attitude in our relationship with others. We should seek to build others up, not just wanting the best for them but being prepared to do whatever we can to help that best be achieved.
The idea of being faithful carries this constructive attitude to the point of recognising the Gospel principle behind it.
God has been merciful to us, our relationships should demonstrate mercy.
Showing compassion to others, particularly those who treat us poorly creates an opportunity for their attitudes to be turned around.
In presenting this the constant reference point has to be the idea of genuine love. This is not a code of conduct, it is a description of a life that reflects God’s love.
Nothing more, nothing less.
mgpcpastor's blog 