LET Love Be Genuine

The New Revised Standard version of Romans 12:9-10 reads, "Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor."

Genuine love infects every act with reverence, from raking a yard to clearing a table. Often we block the flow of our genuine love in an attempt to control and condition others. Love is the greatest gift we have to share and when we hinder its flow part of our life goes stagnant. Allow the genuine love from God which is shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) to flow out from his river of living water within you. Then be willing to reach out to those around you as Jesus would.

I knew a man who believed and lived this verse. We had great fun literally trying to outdo one another in showing honor. I have forgotten his name these many years later, but his genuine love and the glow in his smile live on in my memory.

Genuine love. Once you experience that, the other kinds of love just don't measure up. Let your love be genuine - and that will lead you to naturally hate what is evil and cling to what is good.

Father, give us the courage to take the risk to let our love be genuine. You have poured out Your genuine love upon us. Help us to share from Your bounty. Amen.