A Different Love
Background Story: The book of Romans was written by Paul to encourage and teach the church of Rome how to follow Christ.
Read Romans 12: 9-19
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.
Big Idea: God’s love is sacrificial love.
The Bible says in 1 John 3:16, “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.” The love of Christ was messy. He touched the leper, spoke to the outcast, and washed feet. He reached out and loved us extravagantly laying down His life to bring us freedom from sin. That kind of sacrificial love goes against today’s me-centered culture that doesn’t want to be inconvenienced. But God is calling us, His followers, to a different kind of love.
1 John 3 doesn’t stop by telling us about Jesus’ love… but it’s a call to action. It says, “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3:16-18).
When we choose to give, serve, forgive, rejoice with others, show genuine affection, and walk along side the hurting… we are demonstrating supernatural love. Pray today that God would open your eyes and show you ways to love His way… He is faithful and will give you opportunities to be His hands and feet to a broken and hurting world.
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