Love Sincerely

That is what Paul writes in the book of Romans Chapter 12 vr 9. "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

What I love about this passage is that Paul doesn't bother to explain the "why" behind the first part of this verse. It is one of my favorite things about his writing style. There are just some things that he would encourage us about and because they were so fundamental and logical no explanation is needed. He doesn't say "Love must be sincere because..." He just makes a very easy to understand statement that it MUST be sincere knowing that as brothers in Christ we should know why without having to ask.

Therefore this morning men I ask you whether or not your love is sincere? The love you have for your wife, friends and family, is it sincere? More importantly do they believe your love for them is sincere?

Trust me gentlemen, especially when it comes to the women you care about in your life, they will know when your love is not sincere. They might not say that to you nor will they usually let it show that they are on to you. However, women can always tell when something is amiss.

As men we think we are so smart and ingenious when it comes to fooling people and outsmarting others, especially women. I am here to tell you that we aren't fooling anyone other than ourselves. Women know and women can tell when you aren't sincere in your love for them. However, rarely will they let on (at least initially) that they have figured you out. They generally allow us to keep digging our own holes until it becomes so obvious we are in a hole that we have to admit it ourselves. It can be a very painful prospect.

That is why I am writing to you today. I want to encourage you to love people sincerely. Be genuine with the people you care about. Don't let familiarity rob the power of the words "I love you."

The key to loving sincerely is through our actions. It is easy to say words that we don't mean. Anyone can say they love you to get what they want (As men we are terribly notorious for this) but not actually care about you sincerely.

Jesus said to his boys: "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." John 15:12-14 (NIV)

Even Jesus knew love without sincerity is mostly meaningless. Loving sincerely means you will lay down your life for your friends and loved ones. Jesus wasn't necessarily talking literally here, although giving your life for someone is also expected it is not limited to just that. He is simply saying that when you sincerely love someone you will serve them and lay down your own agenda and motivations in order to love them.

Our biggest problem in this area is the whole "I don't feel like I love them." This is probably one of the worst rationales humans have every come up with. Christ didn't say that you should lay down your life for someone when you feel like you love them. He said when you love someone you should lay down your life for them.

If you love someone you love them all the time. Not part time. Not 3/4 of the time. All the time. We may "fall" in love with people but it is our choice to continue to love them. That doesn't mean loving people is always easy but as followers of God we must choose to love people even when it is hard and inconvenient. Any one can love someone when it is easy or they want something in return for their love.

Real men (and real women) love at all times and they do so sincerely. That doesn't mean we are perfect or that we walk in this command all the time but we are asked to try. Therefore we must.

I leave you with a thought and also with some encouragement. First, who in your life do you claim to love but have recently been loving without the sincerity Paul and John write about in the Bible? Seek God and ask him to show you. You may be surprised at what he will tell you. God wants to see all your relationships restored to right standing therefore there is no judgment ('There is no condemnation in Christ Rom 8:1). If you are confused about how to show love sincerly ask God, He will show you. Everyone wants to be loved sincerely and if you pay attention you will see how people in your life desire to have love expressed to them.

I leave you with a scripture we all know or have heard but you cannot escape the beauty and sincerity of God's love in it: "For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Love sincerely and I promise you, your life will change in so many amazing ways you will have to shout to God from every roof top you can find!

Peace out!
Drew