The Sincerity of Love

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

www.pastorkennedy.com

Today is Valentine’s Day! We must take some time to talk today about love and the sincerity of love!

How can you tell if a person is sincere or not in who they are and what they say or plan to do?

•We naturally read other people’s facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and conviction of their words and actions, which they are communicating verbally and non-verbally, to determine the honesty and sincerity of what they want us to believe.

Biblical Perspectives on Sincere Love

Romans 12, has several perspectives giving definite clues regarding the sincerity of a Christian’s love!

Are you a Christian who has a sincere love for God and others?

How can you tell if someone is sincere in their love of God – and their love of you?

“Love Must Be Sincere”…

(Rom. 12:9-13)

There can be several ways to teach and review the Truths of this passage. Today we will look at these verses in the context of “love must be sincere.”

1. Right vs. Wrong. Are we honorable before God in how we live our lives – Do we hold on to that which is “right” and do we reject what is “wrong”?

Those who are sincere in their love for God are to hold on (be “glued together” or “Velcroed”) to that which is good; and, turn away from (to have a horror of [ἀποστυγέω]) that which they know to be evil and dishonoring to God.

o “Hate evil and cling to good.” (v. 9b)

Is there really “right” and “wrong” in the world? Are some individuals living “wicked” lives, while others live “righteous” lives? Who determines what is “right” and what is “evil”? Is that definition the responsibility of a government or Supreme Court?

The Bible reveals that there is an infinite Power greater than ourselves – an Almighty God who infused into the humanity He created, the knowledge, wisdom, discernment and intuition of what is evil and what is good…because we were made in His Image, and He has revealed His Truth to us!

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

4 Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff

that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Isaiah 5:20–25

20 Woe to those who call evil good

and good evil,

who put darkness for light

and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet

and sweet for bitter.

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes

and clever in their own sight.

22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine

and champions at mixing drinks,

23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe,

but deny justice to the innocent.

24 Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw

and as dry grass sinks down in the flames,

so their roots will decay

and their flowers blow away like dust;

for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty

and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.

25 Therefore the Lord’s anger burns against his people;

his hand is raised and he strikes them down.

The mountains shake,

and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets.

Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away,

his hand is still upraised.

The first observation in Romans 12:9, regarding the sincerity of the love of God is to…

o “Hate evil and cling to good.” (v. 9b)

2. Family Love. Love those in the Body of Christ as Family.

o “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” (v. 10a)

Those who are sincere in their love for God have a supernatural love, identity, and devotion toward those who love God.

Any family can suffer the catastrophe of break up.

Misunderstandings, quarrels, gossip, and deception from our spiritual enemy can sometimes break up even the closest friends, but this is not God’s design for His Body. Confession, forgiveness and healing of relational and spiritual wounds are accessible to those seeking peace and reconciliation.

God’s Presence is Revealed in God’s Children

Since those who are “Born Again” into the family of God have been sealed within by the promised guarantee (“down payment”) of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14), and their bodies are now the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), there is a supernatural family relationship and “witness” of God’s Spirit between those who believe in Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:16

16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

1 John 3:24

24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Our love for our brother or sister in Christ is a sign that we are Christ’s disciples, to those who do not believe.

John 13:34–35

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

o “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” (v. 10a)

3. Honoring Others First. Take the lead in honoring others above ourselves. Step away from conversations that do not build others up.

o Those who are sincere in their love for God take the lead in honoring others above themselves.

o “Honor one another above yourselves.” (v. 10b)

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

4. Zealousness. In what “causes” do we earnestly interest ourselves? How does Zealousness reveal the sincerity of our love for God?

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (v. 11)

o At sometime in their lives, most people can be motivated to:

•Support a just cause,
•Participate in an enjoyable pastime,
•Be a fan of a talented sports team,
•Join a meaningful local club,
•Donate or serve with a charitable service,
•Participate in other honorable “causes”, “events”, or “celebrations”.

•Zealousness toward having a positive relationship with God should be our highest priority.

There is no greater opportunity to have a relationship with God than that which God has given in His Salvation through Jesus Christ. Christ’s Redemption from sin brings an eternal heritage and inheritance like no other! We should have our greatest zealousness in service for Jesus Christ.

For the Christian, an underlying foundation to support all honorable and noble causes rises from our relationship with Christ.

o “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (v. 11)

5. Hope, Adversity, and Prayer. How do hope, adversity, and prayer reveal sincerity in our love for God?

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (v. 12)

o Joyful (rejoice) in Hope

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Psalm 147:11

11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,

who put their hope in his unfailing love.

We can rejoice in our Hope in God!

o Patient endurance during affliction and trial

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

o Faithfulness in prayer.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (v. 12)

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

17 Pray without ceasing.

Luke 18:1

The Parable of the Unrighteous Judge and the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up….

Matthew 5:43–48

Love and Pray for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Those who are sincere in their love for God reveal a joyful spirit in their hope, patient endurance during affliction and trial, and faithfulness in prayer.

o “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (v. 12)

1.Right vs. Wrong (v. 9b)
2.Family Love (v. 10a)
3.Honoring Others First (v. 10b)
4.Zealousness (v. 11)
5.Hope, Adversity and Prayer (v. 12)
6.…now Sharing (v. 13)

6. Sharing! Do we unselfishly reach out to help others?

o Those who are sincere in their love for God genuinely reach out to care for others – friend or foe.

o “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (v. 13).

It is interesting that the very next verse following “practice hospitality” speaks of “blessing those who persecute you”!

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Romans 12:9–13

Sincere Love

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Sincerity in Love is Revealed in Romans 12:

•Through our choosing God’s Way and definitely rejecting the world’s way.
•Through loving those in the Body of Christ, as our Spiritual Family.
•Through our Honoring of Others before ourselves.
•Through having our love for God and His Kingdom as our most zealous love.
•By Rejoicing in our Hope in God, being Patience in Adversity, and continuing to be Faithfully committed to Prayer.
•Through Sharing with God’s People in need, and showing Hospitality to others.