Romans 12:9 – Let love be genuine.
“Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’ That well-known quote from The Velveteen Rabbit has a message for today’s Christians. In a nutshell, the story reminds you that when you are truly loved, you have become genuine and real.
The Bible talks often about the need for Christians to love one another. For one thing, it is proof that you belong to Jesus Christ (John 13:5). Love, in this case agape love, is at the very core of knowing Jesus. It is central to the character of God. In Romans, you are instructed to love genuinely, without hypocrisy, without a hidden agenda. That love is nourished on what is good and right and beautiful (Philippians 4:8). It spills out from inner contentment.
Days under coronavirus restrictions have put families together and unpleasantness erupts from time to time. Heading back to in-person worship services, where some wear masks and others don’t, can create feelings of ill will. Love doesn’t always come easily at such times. But love, the genuine love that God requires, isn’t a faucet to be turned on or off at will. It flows because God doesn’t just love, He IS love, and that’s what He wants from you. Be real!
Pray With Us
Loving Heavenly Father, You love us perfectly. In Ephesians 5:1, you direct us to be “imitators of God,” and to “walk in love as Christ loved us.” Help me today. Fill me with Your love to where I am overflowing with it. Help me refrain from being judgmental toward family, friends, and the people at church who might let me become distressed. Continue to protect us from this pandemic. You are a good and loving Father, and I bless Your Holy Name.
Amen.
