Romans 12:9
[9] Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (ESV)
In this next section of Romans 12 Paul is describing what a godly life should look like. One must always read his words of instruction of what a godly life is to be like over and against the standard that the world has. The Christian should always live according to a higher standard than those who are still in bondage to the Enemy.
Love is to be genuine. This understanding of love is far more than that which appeals to our senses or emotions. True love puts the needs of others before one's own. Consider how different that understanding of love is compared to what the world offers. The worldly understanding of love is selfish at its core. It only does things for others if there is something given in return.
Abhor what is evil. Sadly, while most Christians would tend to agree that this is an ideal that they should hold, their daily practice would imply otherwise. One of the greatest attacks of Satan on the believer's spiritual life is to get us to minimize just how evil our sin is. We rationalize it. We excuse it. We forget that our sin was so bad that it required the Savior's blood to forgive it.
Hold fast to what is good. Have you ever considered the kinds of things that you are attached to? Perhaps you have dreams of achieving a high status in the world. Is that the kind of good that you should hold fast to? Perhaps wealth is something that you are desiring. Maybe you are involved in a relationship that is not pleasing to the Lord. Let go of things that are not good.
Genuine love. Abhorring evil. Holding fast to what is good. These ideals are only possible by the power of God at work in our lives. Ask the Lord to show you where you are struggling. Then ask him to empower you by his Holy Spirit in these areas. He will help you!
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