ROMANS 12:9-16 PRACTICE LOVE Listening through the word of God to the specific practices of the use of God-given gifts, made me seriously reflect on what I do in the house of God, for the people of God. Am I really using what God has given me by His grace? Do I carry out the reason for these gifts by faith - true active faith? Is the Spirit of God free to use these gifts through me, or do I resist His leading? After thoughtful consideration of the ministry of the gifts that are used in specific ways, the challenge is presented as to the motivation to practice these in general terms.
It is possible to pretend to love and practice all the actions of living as a Christian, without being genuine and sincere. Sincere good will goes way beyond being polite. It involves wanting the best for others in spite of the cost I might have to pay to honor them. Abhorring evil and malice is really one of the most visible ways my true Christianity is seen. Being glued to what is good contrasts malice with benevolence which is the practice of love.
Love reveals itself when there is true affection such as is seen in the relationship between parents and children in a family. Expressions and acts of unsolicited kindness that bring honor to brothers and sisters in Christ and benefit to all, is evidence that the genuine love of God is in us. To prefer them or see them going forward, even ahead of us, is true Christian love.
Zeal in spiritual matters will involve the use of my time and energy in seeking to serve the Lord. There will be a burning desire to fulfill my responsibilities and accomplish something that is lasting for the glory of God. This is a cause for joy as we, in sure hope, look for the Lord to come. We will be able to go through the pressures and problems that come in our service for the Lord, with an on-going urgency in our prayers to God that keeps us in a fellowship with Him.
The needs of others may escape our attention if we do not make a point of asking about the well-being of our brothers and sisters with a genuine sense of love for them. It is not hard to discern insincere questions that have only the sense of politeness about them. The practice of love is a general principle when it relates to meeting the needs of others. People deserve their privacy and we should not advertise our giving nor our pursuit of showing hospitality. This is not just a casual occasional act of showing hospitality, but is something that we actually go after - even to strangers who may be angels.
It is hard to bless those who oppose you and what you seek to do. They may even go out of their way to speak against you or promote some malicious evil. It appears the best thing we can bless them with is the Gospel with our words and actions. We may be privileged in a small way to experience what our Lord did who "when He was reviled, reviled not again. When He suffered, He threatened not." Even though there may be a reason for retaliation, do not do it.
Sometimes it may be harder to rejoice with another person than to weep with them. When I hear of God's blessing on another person's labor and mine seems fruitless, it may be hard to truly rejoice with them. When another has recovered from a sickness and I have to live with mine daily, it may be hard to rejoice with them. If another is honored in a work that I might have done or shared in, and I am overlooked, I need to deliberately make a choice to rejoice with that person. Some trials and afflictions others go through, need me to stay connected with them because perhaps I can help them get through the testing time. Silent companionship may be the best comfort I can give to a weeping saint who has suffered a great loss.
Cultivating harmony takes time and effort. To be united in mind is a purposeful act as we practice love to people in need or who are of different station in life. To be patronizing is offensive to others. I need to deliberately avoid the temptation of comparing myself to others or being carried away by those who think they are of a higher class. Self-conceited people are strangers to the practice of love.
To some people, love means they have a kind of fuzzy feeling Towards other people or things, that to their flesh is appealing. But to really practice love in the routine of daily living; Is the life of a Christian, as God intends.
Pretense and hypocrisy are two things that go hand in hand. The first is outward appearance, the second is in the inward man. The practice of love is my commitment to do what I can To bring others what God wants to send.
The service of the Lord God will challenge me to share What He has given me with others so they will know He cares, And through the practice of love we are able to bear Burdens so that others under them don't bend.
Sometimes enthusiasm and joy are what is needed. Other times people need to know that their problems are heeded, And by the practice of love into their hearts are seeded - Thoughts of the blessings God gives to men.
There will be times in this practice when I will be caused to weep. Other times there will be conflict when for some peace I seek. By the practice of love my thoughts on what pleases Christ I keep - As I remember how God looks upon them.
As I serve God's dear saints as I know I ought, I will remember that I daily need to be taught The practice of love so that it will be caught By those God is bringing to Him.
"Gracious Father, in my life there have been those who have practiced holy Christian love towards me that has brought me great blessing. By Thy grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in me, may I wisely show this practice of love towards others. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."