Rev. Richard Smith
Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere.
Paul’s simple assertion that “love must be sincere” is, without question, a maxim with which each of us readily agree. It’s one of those statements which both inspires and challenges.
For love to be sincere, we have to be clear what we’re talking about. There are few words more popular than “love”. I think the whole Hallmark enterprise was probably built on the notion that we all want to share our feelings and thoughts of love with those who are dear to us.
So, some thoughts on “sincere love”…
- Sincere love must go deeper than a word or a feeling or a thought. It has to be a practice, a way of acting, a daily life example. This one who spoke of love being sincere also offered some of the most helpful words one can find on what lifestyle love really is. I Corinthians 13, labeled “the love chapter”, Paul enumerates the qualities which exemplify sincere love. Some of them are: patience with another, kindness toward another, humility around others, etc. Again, sincere love is intentional in wanting to act as loving persons.
- Sincere love can’t be limited to those who are dearest and nearest to us. There’s not a one of us who doesn’t manifest our deepest love for those who are our family, our kin, our dearest friends, etc. That’s human nature. But, Jesus-centered love, the love about which Paul writes, is meant to be offered to those who are not within our primary circle; even at times to those who are anything but close to us. Loving those who are not readily lovable takes a lot of scripture reflection, a lot of prayer, a lot of conversation with trusted mentors, and a lot of honest exchange with God. None of us do it easily and certainly none of us will ever do it perfectly. At the same time, we are called to grow toward loving others in Jesus’ name. He put it clearly when he said, Love one another as I have loved you (John 15:12).
- Sincere love advocates for the hurting. Even as we are called to love all others, we are also called to put the interests of the hurting front and center. Jesus-like love makes clear that society’s victims deserve our special attention and action. Jesus’ life and ministry unquestionably gave precedence to the least and so should we! We can debate how best to address the harm many face in our society and in our world, but we cannot debate that Jesus calls us to pro-active help for those most needing it.
- Sincere love is honest about the attitudes and actions which one needs to address in order to be a loving person. There, again, is not a one of us who doesn’t need to invite God to work on some part of our daily lives so that we are becoming the loving persons He wants us to be. Naming that part of ourselves which needs changing or improving is a part of spiritual discipline and certainly a path appropriate to the Season of Lent. Who do we have trouble loving? What actions of others really test the call to love? Whose personhood grates against mine so that I acknowledge that I need to be in prayer and reflection? What can I specifically do to be a more loving person?
Here’s to a continuing time of growth for each of us this Lent 2022!!
