Love Must Be Sincere

https://odb.org/MY/2022/12/11/clinging-to-whats-good

In Romans 12:9, Paul teaches us that love must be sincere, cling on to what is good, and hate what is evil. When we love one another and others, it must be with sincerity. We must not be pretentious. It must be real, not fake. We have to remember that there are a few aspects of love and the love in the love one another is brotherly love or philia love. It is not love between husband and wife as that is eros. In the context of the New Testament, the love amongst and in the fellowship of believers after the resurrection of Christ is koinonia. However, in Romans 12:9, Paul uses the highest form of love, which is agape. A love that is sacrificial and was displayed by Christ on the cross for us.

But in general love amongst believers should either be philia or koinonia and thus there need not be any fear of misunderstanding that as we love someone in Christ, we have romantic inclinations. If so, then we are not sincere and have an ulterior motive. Then it is wrong as we are then pretentious by pretending to love someone in a brotherly fashion, but actually, we desire a romantic relationship.

So when we love one another in a brotherly sense, it sometimes becomes difficult as not everyone is pleasant. Some are obnoxious and temperamental. Some are moody and insular as well as very introverted. Some are sharp in words or always complaining. There are all sorts of people in the world as well as in the church. Humans come in all types and shapes, personalities, and characters. The tendency is to pick and choose, but Paul is saying not to pick and choose but to hate what evil and cling on to what is good in a person so that we may love everyone in sincerity.

The message today remains that we are to love one another, even our enemies. But love sincerely without any ulterior motive, and that includes romantic inclinations. Love one another in a brotherly manner as part of a congregation in a philia or koinonia way. Hate what is evil and cling on to what is good.

Shall we then make it a point to show love sincerely to one new brother or sister or friend or colleague this week?

Have a blessed Sunday, everyone! Have a fantastic time in worship and listening to the Word being preached. May the Spirit of the Living God touch and transform us this morning as we worship Him and heed His message to us!