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Romans 12:10-13
The Apostle Paul gives a practical application for what he has previously declared in Romans 12:9 (NKJV) to, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” He describes the way in which we should act and react to one another in Christ. Immediately after Jesus teaches us how to pray in Matthew 6:8-13 He makes this statement, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). Jesus replied to His disciples in Mark 9:35 (HCSB) as they debated of who would be the greatest, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” The point in which Jesus and Paul are trying to make is that we should show the love of God that He first showed to us by forgiving us of our sins through the salvation in Christ Jesus that we have received by His grace and mercy. To be kind with brotherly love, putting the needs of others before ourselves, diligent, strong in spirit to the Lord, rejoiceful while serving the Lord in the hope He has given us, patient through suffering and continuous in prayer, and taking care of one another in Christ (Romans 12:10-13).
This is an example of the attitude and actions that we should portray – in Christ.
Another word that helps us to understand hypocrisy is insincerity. Jesus teaches the woman at the well in John 4:23-24 (NIV), “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” To worship God in spirit and in truth must be done in sincerity as there is no other way in which one can do something, or anything in spirit and truth. God desires us to have sincere hearts to Him; it is the key to salvation through faith; it is genuine. Sincerity is the closest to purity that one can obtain in and of ourselves. It is a giving of all that we can and all that we are to God or whatever it is that we are sincere to. If we are sincere in our faith in Christ Jesus, He knows and will fill our hearts with His love and His Holy Spirit to guide us through this life because He knows that we are doing all that we can to draw near to Him; and all that we can do for Him is to be sincere to Him in seeking His will for our lives. If we are sincere to Him, He will guide us through this life; through the ups and downs of this sinful world, that we may be forgiven of all our sins and live a renewed life – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
To let love reign in our lives without hypocrisy as the Apostle Paul teaches us in Romans 12:9; to be kind to one another and to show brotherly love ; to be diligent; fervent in spirit; serving You and rejoicing in hope; to be patient in suffering; to be steadfast in our prayers; and showing hospitality to one another as Paul continues to lead us in Romans 12:10-13 requires us to have a sincere heart to You and the salvation that You offer us through our Savior Jesus. Please open our eyes, hearts, minds, and souls as You did the community of the woman at the well in John 4 that we may all experience true life – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.