Genuine Love

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Romans 12:10 (NLT)

In this world, there are lots of things we are told to love. We are supposed to love our jobs. We are supposed to love our phones (Tinder anyone?). We are supposed to love where we live. We are supposed to love our houses. In short, there are lots of things that we are supposed to love, and perhaps do (I actually love my job!). But, what about the things that matter most? Do we actually love them, or is it words only?

There is a movie set in the future (it’s a comedy) which has a scene of a futuristic Costco, which has basically taken over the entirety of the shopping world. As the main characters enter into the warehouse (which is about the size of the state of Colorado) a greeter looks at them with out any emotion, no smile, nothing, and says, “Welcome to Costco. I love you.” He keeps repeating the same phrase, with no emotion, to every customer who comes in. The words said “I love you,” his actions showed he actually didn’t mean it.

We are supposed to love one another. This might be easy for our immediately family, and maybe even our extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. But what about our classmates or coworkers? What about the person at church that just bugs the life out of you? What about the person on the street who is living one meal to the next, one night to the next morning? Do we love them? Perhaps you are able to answer yes. But, pause and think about the people you really, truly love in this life.

Our verse today says that we should, “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Notice, it’s not a passive love that Paul is calling us to. He is calling us to an active love. When we love with “genuine affection,” there should be no doubt in the minds of those receiving the love that we truly mean it. Additionally, this love should be “honoring to each other.” In other words, we need to lift one another up. We need to respect each other. We need to celebrate when something good happens in the life of someone else.

So, today, and every day, ask God to show you how to live a life full of genuine love. Not the cold, emotionless, words-only kind of love. But and love that will help others know that you care and that they are honored and respected.

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