Craig T. Owens

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The apostle Paul begins a lengthy series of commands for Christians with a simple statement: “Love must be sincere” (Romans 12:9). 

Let’s define a couple of those key words. “Love” (Greek: agape) is not self-focused but others-serving. And “sincere” (anypokritos) means genuine, not hypocritical; or as the Amplified Bible says, “a real thing.” 

Love is the motivating force for us to be able to carry out every one of the commands listed in verses 9-21 with God-honoring sincerity. 

• Love clings to what is good and drives away evil 
• Love is devoted to God and to its neighbor 
• Love honors others more than itself 
• Love is zealous 
• Love serves God in everything 
• Love is joyful in hope 
• Love is patient in affliction 
• Love is faithful in prayer 
• Love is hospitable to its neighbors 
• Love blesses persecutors 
• Love rejoices with those who rejoice 
• Love mourns with those who mourn 
• Love finds a way to live in harmony with others 
• Love is not proud 
• Love never repays evil for evil 
• Love always does what is right 
• Love lives at peace with everyone 
• Love doesn’t seek revenge 
• Love serves its enemies 
• Love overcomes evil with good 

This is a great list—a lofty, noble, Christ-glorifying list! 

How do I know if I am fulfilling these mandates? Quite simply, I could ask myself, “What does it sound like if I replace the word ‘love’ in those statements with my own name?” Do each of those statements sound accurate if I do that? 

If not, that means I need to continue to offer my body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) so that the Holy Spirit can continue to sanctify me. 

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