“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” (Rom. 12:9-10 KJV)
“Love without dissimulation“: Love must be real . . . not faked . . . not disguised . . . not artificial . . . not deceitful . . . not dishonest. So, the love we express to one another must be authentic and true. Right here it might be good to apply the principle of 1 John 1:6-7 to this love business. Let’s paraphrase: “If we say that we love one another and practice contempt and hate, we lie, and do not practice the truth. But if we practice love, as Christ is love, we have genuine fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin (my application of the 1 John 1:6-7 principle).
“Be kindly affectioned to one another with brotherly love“: Love must be devoted and treasured . . . cherished . . . valued . . . loyal . . . committed. This is the love of brothers. Despite sibling rivalry and fights, brothers and sisters are loyal, devoted, and committed to each other. The old adage rules: “blood is thicker than water.”
“Preferring one another in honor“: True love is preferential. Our love for our brothers and sisters is so deep that we prefer them to be honored before ourselves. It may be that we deserve the honor more than they, but we love them more than ourselves.
We might want to reject this description of love as being false or un-natural, yet the great Apostle taught this is exactly how we are to conduct ourselves. Note the other two points he makes in today’s passage: “Abhor (be horrified by) evil; cleave (be cemented) to good.” Perhaps, instead of rejecting Paul’s concept of love-in-action, we ought to practice it.
Dear Father, thank you for your deep, devoted love shown through Christ on Calvary. Strengthen us to express the same level of love to one another. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Encourage yourself and another with real love today,