“Don’t just pretend to love others. Genuinely love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”
Romans 12:9
Living love is our goal! But unfortunately, I’m guilty, as I’m sure many of you are too, of making quick judgements instead. Maybe it’s because our hearts are too hard with our own emotions and struggles. Maybe our minds are too busy to formulate kind words. Maybe we have moments of forgetting our own shortcomings long enough to only see them in others. Or maybe we don’t trust God enough to do what only He can do. But what a tragedy it is when our hearts (and mouths) express judgement instead of love.
Don’t get me wrong here, there is a place for discernment in all of our encounters, but even in those situations when you know something just ain’t right, grace and love will always win!
Paul encourages us in Romans 12:9 to not just pretend to love others, but to genuinely love them. To hate what is wrong, but hold tightly to what is good.
Genuine love requires patience, mercy, and surrender. It goes far above being hypocritical and judgmental. Genuine love means letting go of our own conclusions, even in those situations where strong discernment is required, and flooding our hearts with the goodness of God. Genuine love delights in God and seeks to see the good in people. And when expressed fully and completely, it allows God to work in our hearts and the hearts of others.
And every time we allow the peace that love offers to trump our own assumptions, we learn that the blessing of love is much lighter than the burden of judgement.
After all, God is the one true judge. Where we see people from the outside, He sees people’s hearts. And yes, He even sees our own hearts! Ouch!
Do we dare to believe the best in others? Do we push people away from the One who can rescue them? Or do we lead them closer to Him? Do our own hearts need to be healed as we adjudicate the hearts of others? Do we trust God enough to do the judging and love God enough to just love others?
Jesus invites us all to be loved and to love others! And He commands us to let Him be the judge. How can you seek what is good today in order to live the message of genuine love?
