With affection beaming in one eye, and calculation shining out of the other.
Charles Dickens (1812-1870, British novelist)
Romans 12:9-12
Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. (HCSB)
Let’s stop and dwell a little on Romans 12:9-12. I find a word at the beginning of this verse that is used a lot to speak of the Church outside of its walls. Often I hear this word used as an excuse by those outside of the Church as an excuse to stay there. That word is hypocrite, and if I hear what God has demanded from us it is that love must be without this often used word.
That British Baptist preacher Spurgeon said this concerning hypocrisy, “When you see a great deal of religion displayed in his shop window, you may depend on it, that he keeps a very small stock of it within.” I have seen that often. That quite soul in the midst that displays quiet trust, and then the loud one who speaks one thing, and lives another. God save us from them.
Love lived out loud is sacrifice, Jesus showed us that. He left the arguing and the outward religious displays to the Pharisees. Real love is unconditional, which is to say accepting someone who is different than me, after all isn’t that why Jesus was rejected? He was not what was expected, He didn’t measure up, and for many lost Jews today, He still doesn’t. That’s why hypocrisy is so dangerous; you could be trying to impress the wrong crowd…God Bless.
Charles Dickens (1812-1870, British novelist)
Romans 12:9-12
Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. (HCSB)
Let’s stop and dwell a little on Romans 12:9-12. I find a word at the beginning of this verse that is used a lot to speak of the Church outside of its walls. Often I hear this word used as an excuse by those outside of the Church as an excuse to stay there. That word is hypocrite, and if I hear what God has demanded from us it is that love must be without this often used word.
That British Baptist preacher Spurgeon said this concerning hypocrisy, “When you see a great deal of religion displayed in his shop window, you may depend on it, that he keeps a very small stock of it within.” I have seen that often. That quite soul in the midst that displays quiet trust, and then the loud one who speaks one thing, and lives another. God save us from them.
Love lived out loud is sacrifice, Jesus showed us that. He left the arguing and the outward religious displays to the Pharisees. Real love is unconditional, which is to say accepting someone who is different than me, after all isn’t that why Jesus was rejected? He was not what was expected, He didn’t measure up, and for many lost Jews today, He still doesn’t. That’s why hypocrisy is so dangerous; you could be trying to impress the wrong crowd…God Bless.
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