SINCERE LOVE

Passage: Romans 12:9-21

Key verse: 9,10

NIV

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere.(A) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.(B) 10 Be devoted to one another in love.(C) Honor one another above yourselves.(D) 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,(E) serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,(F) patient in affliction,(G) faithful in prayer.(H) 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.(I) Practice hospitality.(J)

14 Bless those who persecute you;(K) bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.(L) 16 Live in harmony with one another.(M) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.(N)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.(O) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.(P) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(Q) 19 Do not take revenge,(R) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[b](S) says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[c](T)

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Footnotes
  1. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
  2. Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
  3. Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Marks of the True Christian

9 (A)Let love be genuine. (B)Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 (C)Love one another with brotherly affection. (D)Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, (E)be fervent in spirit,[a] (F)serve the Lord. 12 (G)Rejoice in hope, (H)be patient in tribulation, (I)be constant in prayer. 13 (J)Contribute to the needs of the saints and (K)seek to show hospitality.

14 (L)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 (M)Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 (N)Live in harmony with one another. (O)Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[b] (P)Never be wise in your own sight. 17 (Q)Repay no one evil for evil, but (R)give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, (S)live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, (T)never avenge yourselves, but leave it[c] to the wrath of God, for it is written, (U)“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, (V)“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.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Footnotes
  1. Romans 12:11 Or fervent in the Spirit
  2. Romans 12:16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks
  3. Romans 12:19 Greek give place
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Never lack zeal (9-13)

Genuine love is not based on human feelings; it must be rooted in Jesus' redeeming love for us. Sometimes we are robbed of joy by rebellious children, evil men, unchanged sheep or hard experiences in the world. But when our love comes from Jesus' love, we can hate evil, be committed in love to our brothers and sisters, and be full of joy. Faithfulness in prayer is the secret of zeal that does not grow stale. We must have Jesus in our hearts.

2. Love is possible in a hostile world (14-21)

Jesus loved his enemies and prayed for them. He never harbored vengeance in his heart--even toward those who mocked and tortured him. So, as Jesus' people, we must bless those who persecute us. And we must forgive. The way to learn Jesus' mind is to repent of our pride day by day and moment by moment. Revenge and envy come from a proud heart. We must learn from Jesus (1Pe 2:21), and we must have Jesus in our hearts.

Prayer: Lord, forgive my lack of prayer and my pride. Give me the heart of Jesus. Help me to be loving even in a hostile world.

One Word: Let love be sincere