Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. – Romans 12:9
Lukewarm has its place, but it is not in the temperature of your coffee nor that of a meal that should be served hot. Lukewarm feelings are not beneficial between friends or spouses. The apostle John was told to write to the church at Laodicea that God would have preferred that they were either cold or hot, but “because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 4:16).
The apostle Paul’s attitude toward good and evil carries similar fervor. There is no room for being lukewarm. “Abhor” evil, “hold fast”, or as another translation has it “cling,” to what is good. Holding these values requires a definite decision to do so. Abhorring and clinging are powerful, not wishy-washy, responses to circumstances that are taking place in this world. Paul’s method of addressing evil is with the attitude of a renewed mind… one not conformed to the world but transformed by God to know what is good, acceptable, and perfect (Romans 12:1-2).
His instruction before “abhor” and “cling” is “Let love be genuine” (Romans 12:9). Overcoming evil with good can only be grasped by one who has a genuine love for God and others. Therefore, stand firm in what is right. Intercede for the leaders in this nation who have a lukewarm attitude toward evil. Pray that the Lord will give strength to those who stand for good!
Today’s Verse: Romans 12:9
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 13:8-14
8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
