August 4
Love Must
Be Sincere
Romans 12:9-11
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Daily Steps
The command for watchfulness (Day 215) is not only about spiritual preparation but also about the quality of our relationships and service while we wait. This passage provides the new believer with the practical, relational blueprint for faithful waiting: demonstrating sincere love with zeal and devotion.
The peace in this practice is found in spiritual quality:
The Foundation of Sincerity: The core instruction is: "Love must be sincere." This means our love (Day 162) must be without hypocrisy and genuine. This sincerity is defined by an active commitment to Hate what is evil; cling to what is good (The Pursuit of Holiness, Day 198).
The Relational Blueprint: Sincere love is expressed through devotion (Be devoted to one another in love) and humility (Honor one another above yourselves, Day 184). These actions secure unity (Day 161) in the community, removing relational anxiety.
The Zeal for Service: The call to spiritual readiness is also a call to action: Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. This passion—this fervor—ensures that our faithful waiting (Day 216) is characterized by active, wholehearted service, not laziness or burnout.
Your peace in the future is secured by sincere love and service in the present. Live out a sincere, zealous, and devoted love for others, as this is the best way to be found ready for service when Christ returns.
Reflective Question
In what current relationship are you allowing your love to be insincere or hypocritical? What is one specific way you can actively cling to what is good today by honoring someone else above yourself?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my struggles with insincere love and inconsistent zeal. I pray for the spiritual fervor to Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Help me to be devoted to one another in love and to honor one another above yourselves. Secure my peace today in the active, joyful service that flows from a pure, sincere heart. Amen.
