romans.bible/romans-12-12Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in 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 the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13
Paul here in this passage in his letter to the Roman church is showing us what love looks like when it is put into action. He tells us that love is sincere, which means that nothing is hidden and everything is out in the open or in other words what you see is what you get. He then tells us that love hates evil, but holds on to what is good. He then tells us that love puts others ahead of oneself. All this means is that true and sincere love is all about looking out for the needs of others. He, also, tells us that true and sincere love gives us a zeal or a hunger for serving God, and that true and sincere love exhibits a joy based on the hope we have in Christ which leads us to be patient in our times of trouble and faithful in ours prayers. And the most important way that Paul tells us that love is demonstrated is through sharing with those in need.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7