Sunday
Love, Hate and Hold On

Romans 12:9a ESV
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

Paul writes a list of twenty-five things that we should live by. Things that should be our defining characteristics as we follow Jesus whole heartedly. Three of those things are (1) Love has to be genuine. (2) At all cost hate evil. (3) Hang on with all your might to what is good.

(1) Genuine love was described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” Think about that when you tell someone that you love them next time. Is it genuine love?

(2) Evil needs to disgust us. Understand, love the sinner, hate the sin, that was Jesus’s example. Finding disgust in everthing that is evil to the point where we will not watch it on TV. We will not listen to it on the radio, and we will not watch it on the internet or any social media.

(3) The good is hard to find most of the time in this world. We see good in God. We see good in God’s words. We see good in our family, in our friends, and those that we love. Hold on tight to all that is good and well pleasing to God.

Prayer:
Father, this world is full of violence and corruption, evil at every hand. I do not need to condone the actions of the evil, glorify it by watching it on TV or taking part to listening of those who are evil. Keep my eyes from sin, keep my heart pure in You, and keep my feet from running with the crowd that is not pleasing to You.

Teach me genuine love, love the loves wholeheartedly. Teach me to hold on to what is good with every fiber of my being. Teach me to hold on to what is right and wholesome with all my strength. I ask humbly Father God, Amen!