TUESDAY October 6, 2020

Love without Hypocrisy

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another…
Romans 12:9-10

Paul developed the body of Christ’s effectiveness through teaching believers about seven different spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6-8). Paul mentioned other spiritual gifts that are recorded in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, and Ephesians 4:11-12. In all, there are 21 gifts to be used in the body of Christ. Paul knew that when these spiritual gifts were used together, the work of the ministry would run smoothly, and successfully.

Therefore, it is important to explore different areas of ministry so you can not only recognize your spiritual gifts, but use the gifts God has given you for His glory. As you exercise your gifts by faith, God will develop, and polish them.

Remember, Paul started Romans12 with our Christian attitude toward Jesus Christ, and now, he deals with our attitude toward other people––Christian brotherhood. Paul gave commands regulating our contentment in the body of Christ, and an exhortation to love without hypocrisy. Love should be shown toward each other with sincerity. If a Christian has true love, they are going to hate evil. What is evil? It is gossip, betrayal or backbiting. Real love will not try to destroy people’s lives and character. Love is caring and it builds up a person. Love can be exhortative.

Paul exhorts that Christians should never become a respecter of persons in the body of Christ. They should not fellowship with just a select few. When people only hang out with certain, favorite people, it can become a clique. When people become involved in a clique, other people outside the group can get hurt. In fact, groups like these can cause a split in the church. Think about it. Have you ever taken the janitors to lunch or reached out to pray with someone who is not popular?

Whatever spiritual gifts we have, they are not our own to use as we please; they are only entrusted to us that we may employ them to help our fellow-Christians.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!