Tag: genuine love
Genuine love and service
Scripture reading for June 30: Romans 12
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Romans 12:4-9
These last four chapters of Romans contain practical instruction for those who by faith have obtained right standing with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul viewed the Church of Jesus as a human body with each member having different functions by God’s design and grace. Each person is different in their gifting and ability. These differences are necessary and designed by God to enable His Body, the Church, to function and fulfill His purposes. There are no gifts that are unimportant or to be looked down on. On the other hand, no gift is to cause pride or exaltation either. They are gifts given by God, not owned or earned by those having them. All are fit together by God into one Body with Jesus Christ as Head.
The bottom line is to live together with each other in genuine love and harmony. We are to serve one another and God with our giftings and giving and speaking and leadership gifts. We need each other and complement one another. We all have the choice of using our gifts or hiding them. God encourages us to use them to serve each other and Him. We must hate and resist evil and love and cling to what is good. Love in our hearts by God’s Holy Spirit empowers us with gifts and the heart to serve willingly!
Have you taken time to examine what gifts God has given you to serve others? Are you envious of the gifts of others? What steps might be useful today in your life to show genuine love for others in Christ’s body, the Church?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for making each of us special and different in giftings. Forgive me when I have been jealous or envious of others abilities and gifts. Fill me with the love of the Holy Spirit and help me to use my giftings and abilities to humbly serve others with joy. You are worthy of my service! Amen.
What transformation looks like!
Scripture reading for May 31st: Romans 12, Psalm 108, Proverbs 15
Romans 12: 9-18 “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection, outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Although our salvation totally depends on God’s grace by faith, the process of sanctification and transformation is a joint action of us humbly submitting to Christ Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us and instruct us in God’s ways. The Holy Spirit brings a river of God’s love into our hearts. This makes genuine love possible towards others, especially brothers and sisters in Christ. We have a heightened sense of good and evil, hating evil and embracing good. We become generous and gracious, showing affection and giving honor. We have zeal, love in action, instead of laziness. We are humble and peace-making, and live in an understanding way towards others with their needs or faults. With God living in us, we can do valiantly and defeat our worldly passions and our foe, Satan.
Psalm 108:12-13 “Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is He Who will tread down our foes.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for Your wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me in the process of transformation. I humbly invite Your Helper to instruct me, empower me to make needed changes and live valiantly in triumph over my foes and my own flesh. I confess that my own efforts are feeble at best, without Your help. Through You, I will do valiantly and see You tread down my enemies! Amen!
Proverbs 15:33 “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”