Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
This chapter in Romans speaks of the body of Christ and its members being one. When one rejoices we rejoice, when one mourns we mourn, to live in harmony is the body of Christ.
What is sincere love? Sincere in the Greek New Testament Lexicon says the from eipokrenomae or hypocrite - a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives. Isn't it what we hear most from those who see us from the outside, in? The sincerity of love is the opposite. The definition of sincerity is freedom from deceit, hypocrisy, or duplicity; probity or honesty in intention or in communicating; earnestness.
(correction added) I will be the first to say, myself as an example, that by actions and more so by spirit which makes us one body, there is no way to hide hypocrisy from the observer. His Spirit will reveal it every time. And there is no awareness of its devastation when we are hypocritical, because we are operating in pure blindness.
The freedom from hypocrisy comes from a washing and purging, going through the fire of the Holy Spirit and letting Him reveal what is in every crevice of our lives. To cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Again, 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins (falling short of His glory, missing the mark), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And why? Because He first loved us. And His love is unconditional. We may never be able to be totally set free before we see Him face to face. But in surrendering to Him, He WILL reveal the 'dirt filled' crevices in our lives in order that we not be 'hypocrites' and can love sincerely.
And being sincere...there is serenity!
Video & Song
Not my usual by a great message
'Serenity' Kutless
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AozEmDS773w
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