PENTECOST 13 – August 30, 2020 – Rom. 12:9-21
“GENUINE LOVE”
Introduction: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text for this morning is the Epistle Lesson just read, from Romans 12. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- It is natural to love those who love us. It is fairly easy to be motivated to do good to those who do good to us. We can be moved fairly easily to good when rewarded for it, or at the least when there are no negative consequences for doing good.
- For many of us, this is how we were introduced to engaging in acts of kindness, mercy, and compassion. We could see the need, we could see the good being done, and we knew the person blessed by our goodness. It was all good.
- However, sooner or later we must take up consideration of what Jesus shared with His disciples. This is not something new or peculiar to New Testament Christianity! It can easily be discerned in what God spoke to Jeremiah: “They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them. I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, declares the Lord. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the wicked.”
- All of this introduces us to aspects of “GENUINE LOVE” that we might otherwise easily overlook. For “GENUINE LOVE” also takes up tasks of blessing our enemies, those seeking to harm us, and even those involved in great evils.
- This doesn’t seem right to us. It “feels” like we may be aiding and abetting the enemy. That is certainly not true, for according to our text:
I. Genuine Love Abhors Evil
Text: “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil.”
Statement: This makes clear that this business of loving our enemies certainly does not include giving them encouragement or even permission to continue on in their evil. Jesus said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” [Matt. 5:44] “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” [Luke 6:27] He did not say: “Love the evil that your enemies do.” In fact, children of God must continue to increase their abhorrence of what is evil and their love for what is good. But “GENUINE LOVE” does continue to love even our enemies.
Application: So, it is clear that the will of God is that we love as He loves us. He loves all people, even those who insist on remaining His enemies, and those who continue in utter commitment to evil. This is “GENUINE LOVE,” and He wants us to have it and to exercise it. And again, this is no concession to evil, for:
II. Genuine Love Holds To What Is Good, Loving, And In Accord With God’s Will
Text: “Hold fast to what is good.”
A. Genuine Love Loves Other People With Great Affection
Text: “Love one another with brotherly affection.”
B. Genuine Love Honors Other People
Text: “Outdo one another in showing honor.”
C. Genuine Love Is Zealous, Fervent
Text: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit.”
D. Genuine Love Always Seeks To Serve The Lord
Text: “Serve the Lord.”
E. Genuine Love Is Full Of Joy And Hope
Text: “Rejoice in hope.”
F. Genuine Love Remains Patient In Trials And Troubles
Text: “Be patient in tribulation.”
G. Genuine Love Is Prayerful
Text: “Be constant in prayer.”
H. Genuine Love Is Aware Of And Attentive To The Needs Of Our Fellow Believers, And Hospitable
Text: “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
I. Genuine Love Blesses Our Enemies, And Those Who Hate Us
Text: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”
J. Genuine Love Empathizes With Others
Text: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
K. Genuine Love Seeks Harmony And Peace With Others
Text: “Live in harmony with one another. . . . If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
L. Genuine Love Is Never Haughty, But Is Friendly Toward All
Text: “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited.”
M. Genuine Love Does No Evil
Text: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
N. Genuine Love Overcomes Evil With Good
Text: “To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Statement: Each of these points that the Apostle makes could constitute an entire sermon. Obviously, we do not have that kind of time, or attention span! So I will urge you to read over this list and contemplate it several times this coming week! I do not believe that if you apply the golden rule – do unto others as you would have them do to you, that you will find anything amiss in any of these instructions!
Application: Now, will “GENUINE LOVE” be easy to attain to? Absolutely not! It is contrary to our sinful nature. However, is “GENUINE LOVE” something that we should not only aspire to but also begin to exercise in our own lives? Absolutely!!!! What great blessedness accrues to all who “Let love be genuine.”
Conclusion: There will be times, when like Jeremiah we will be pressed against by enemies, even fought against. There will be times when dirty tricks are played on us, when people are trying to ruin our peace, happiness, and reputation, and to denude us of our property and belongings. Jesus said it: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
As we do so, we surely have the same promise that God gave to Jeremiah, and to all of His servants: “They shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the Lord. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”
This is far better than what we can guarantee for ourselves! And it enables us to participate in “GENUINE LOVE,” which is far greater blessedness! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto live everlasting. Amen.