“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

We live in a day of superficial relationships. On Facebook we can have a thousand friends, and they are even called friends, but most of them are mere acquaintances or simply people we know. It is convenient. We can friend and unfriend people at will. We meet people who say to us, “How are you,” and we say “fine,” regardless of the truth of the statement. When congregations fight, friendships are ruptured quickly and you realize that it was not an authentic relationship after all.

This is not the kind of relationship that Jesus wants us to have. Paul begins these verses by saying, “Love must be sincere.” This is a different kind of relationship. It is authentic and genuine. It cares about one another, even to the point of sharing with our fellow believers who are in need. It is not transient, but a devoted brotherly love. And at its foundation, it is a humble posture where we honor one another above ourselves, rather than elevating ourselves and our egos. 

Paul intertwines what it means to love one another sincerely with our own spiritual health. So he says to hate what is evil and cling to what is good, to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. What he wants us to understand, is that our personal spiritual maturity and love for Jesus make it possible for us to love one another well. This is a love that comes from God and it is fueled by our commitment to Him.

Wouldn’t you love to be part of a congregation that lives with that kind of love? You can be, especially if you are willing to practice it with others. As we love one another with a sincere love, that love is seen by others who follow our example and pass it on. A key to all of this is to honor one another above yourselves. That is exactly what Jesus did when he chose to leave heaven - His place, and come to earth - our place. Philippians 2:8 says, “He humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross.” If we all honored one another above ourselves, many of the petty conflicts and relational ruptures among believers would not happen.

PRAYER

Father, I pray that You would help me to live with a sincere love for my fellow believers rather than superficial love. Help me to honor others above myself and to be characterized by Your humility, rather than my own ego. And when the days are trying, help me to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer and to pass on that attitude to my fellow brothers and sisters. Amen.