Manna in the Morning

William Barclay titles Romans 12:9-13, “The Christian Life in Everyday Action.” I like that because so many tend to compartmentalize their Christianity into a religious versus a secular dichotomy. God never intended for us to divide up our spirituality like that. The life we are called to live is to be a 24/7/365 “full time Christian life.” God deserves our best in every circumstance. So Barclay’s title is very appropriate for what Paul says: “Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. When God’s children are in need, be the one to help them out.” (NLT) In this passage, Paul urges us to both love and hate. We are to love the good and hate the bad. Carlyle said, “What we need is to see the infinite beauty of holiness and the infinite damnability of sin.” Developing this kind of characteristic helps us be more like Christ.

The 12th chapter of Romans contains several short exhortations that the Christian is to be devoted to. Beginning with verse 9 Paul writes, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” When Paul says, “Love must be sincere” he is using an very interesting word. The word “sincere” has within it the idea of being unmixed or unadulterated. There is to be no hypocrisy, no play-acting and no ulterior motives but is to be pure and genuine in its expression. It may be surprising that such an exhortation should even have to be made to those who are followers of Christ. However, even among Christians there is the temptation to be less than genuine in our love for others. Paul is calling us to love as Jesus loved. Today will afford numerous opportunities for us to show love to others... let’s do it sincerely!