“Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous. Be devoted so tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another. Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him. Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.” Romans 12:9-12 TPT
It can become easy to pretend to love everyone, to speak kindly to them, and act as if everything is great if sincere truth and love does not matter. But that’s not what we as Christians are called to do to help those we encounter, as well as ourselves. We need to be respectful of others no matter what their position in life might be. Love, honor, and respect should never take a back seat to anyone we come in contact with.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul is explaining the importance of loving one another, as God has shown his love for us, which requires concentration and effort. It requires our personal involvement with time and effort. We are to radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and become excited as we continue to serve him with a growing passion. His desire for us in times of trouble is to never give up, but to commune with him, to seek him, as he has requested, in the asking.
Heavenly Father, help us to remember that truth and love toward God and others are requirements, for our lives to be filled with peace, and be ever so thankful.
In Christ Love
Margaret