Romans 12:9-13 – Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with familial 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.
In this passage Paul isn’t pulling any punches. In other translations, verse 9 is phrased, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” Oof, that’s pretty harsh! In the church it’s easy to feel the need or temptation to put on a game face. We know that we are called to take these big steps. We know that we are called to take the higher road. But when it’s time to jump into action, it becomes far too easy to come up with an excuse.
It's easy to recall a time when you’ve been hurt or disappointed, a time when you just needed someone to really see you and comfort you. That feeling of knowing you are loved and cared for is one of the best feelings in the world. And just as much as we need to feel it, we need to do our best to show it as well. We are surrounded by people who are looking for someone to tell them that things are going to be okay.
When we are willing to show other people affection, we can change their day, but it might just change their life. You never know the long-lasting impact one small act can have. Think of the lyrics of a song that has impacted you deeply. Odds are, the person who wrote it will never know you, but the words they wrote, the music they created, has created an indelible mark on you.
When we try to outdo one another in showing honor, we don’t mind taking the low place. We can show genuine love to one another because we are fueled by God’s love. Our cup is overflowing so let’s share it with the people around us.