In review of Romans 12:9-10 it says, “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”
Bottom Line:
Don’t just pretend but really love. Hate what is wrong, hold onto what is good. Love with a genuine love and honor others above yourself.
What this means to me:
I shouldn’t just pretend to love, but really love them. I should have a dislike for what is evil or wrong. I need to hold tightly to and stand on the side of what is good. My love for others must be of a genuine affection and I my delight should be in honoring others more than myself.
In looking at this passage, the tone is that my life should be about real love. Love is the only thing that can change the unchangeable. Love invigorates, revitalizes, renews and refreshes. Love is the most powerful force in the universe, because God is love. It doesn’t say he has love; it says he is love. Love heals what cannot otherwise be healed. Love uplifts, strengthens, energizes and empowers.
“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” (Romans 12:9-10 NLT).
“Taking delight in honoring each other” means that when people in your oikos (the smaller group of people God has put at the forefront of my life) have a win in health, finances, or any goal they’ve set, I celebrate it with them. If they are having struggles, then pray for and with them. I am told to take delight in honoring each other and to show genuine affection.
Interesting enough, it seems God has wired the universe so that when I help others, God takes care of my needs. God is looking down on me, but not to say, “Am I helping myself?” but “Am I helping others?” One way to get help with my goals is start helping others with theirs. This is the act of giving myself away. There is healing in giving back.
Remember the story of Job where he lost everything? He lost his health, he lost his family, he lost his wealth. He lost it all. At the end of the book, God gave it all back to Job. Was this because Job prayed for himself? No. Rather it says, “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10 NIV).
One great thing about being in a small group is not just to be helped, but to help others. It is so that I can pray for those people, and then God can help me.
I am confident that if I practice giving myself away in love, God will work in my life.
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