I have said on more than one occasion that love is an action word that we use too loosely. We tend to say it because we want something in return. I often remember my grandmother when I would say, “Nana, I love you.” She would reply, “What is it that you need this time.” I soon discovered that the love I expressed was from my own selfish needs. Love is neither selfish nor self-seeking. It must be sincere, without false agenda or motive and reveal your true heart. The love of God and His people must be more than words: it must be with actions and sacrifice. Today’s scripture reference is Romans 12:9.

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”

Paul speaks clearly about sincere love. He warns the people not just to pretend but to really love. He says hate what is wrong and hold tightly to what is good. In the next verse, he tells the people to “love each other with genuine affection and delight in honoring each other.” These are powerful words. Paul writes from his heart in this chapter about a living sacrifice to God. He does not want the people he loves to copy the world’s behavior, but to love genuinely. He goes on to say, do not let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Love is stronger than hate. We are even told to love our enemies and to be sincere about it. Love covers a multitude of sins. We hear and read these words, faith, hope, and charity, but the greatest of these is love. Let love abide in you today