Sincere Love

Insincere love is motivated by control and self satisfaction. The one in need of love is used to satisfy the giver’s guilty conscience. They deludedly admire one another for their good deeds. Hypocritical love lacks unconditional and unselfish attributes that an unfeigned faith exhibits. Furthermore, sincere love hates what is evil. The resulting acts of charity are shallow if they ignore injustice or heaven forbid, promote sin. Genuine love upholds God’s holy standards.

Sincere love looks to do good in the name of God. Yes, you love not expecting anything in return, but you hope the recipient of your kind gesture will pay it forward in Jesus’ name. For example, you may anonymously help pay off a friend’s debt so one day they could be in a position to do the same for someone else. Or, you quietly provide meals for a sick friend and volunteer to care for their lawn. Perhaps you invite your neighbor and their child to church.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

A pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith can’t help but love well. The closer we walk with Christ the more we love and the more genuinely we love. Like luscious green ferns flourish from regular rain, so our devotion to one another hydrates and brings our love alive. My devotion to you in love means I think the best of you and do not give up on you. A devoted love looks out for the best interest of its friends. Sincere love is available to serve when needed.

Lastly, how I honor you above myself is evidence of my sincere love. So, I offer you the better seat at the theater, the preferred position at work or the optimal opportunity in a relationship. I defer to your comfort not mine, your financial benefit not mine, and your interests not mine. I best honor you above myself when I model how Jesus honored me above Himself. He died for me when I was dead in my sins. He loved me before I loved Him. Sincere love loves like Christ!

Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2

Prayer: Heavenly Father, grow my love to be sincere like the love of my savior Jesus.

Related Readings: Romans 5:8; Ephesians 6:23-24;  Philippians 2:1-3; 1 John 3:16

Post/Tweet today: Like luscious green ferns flourish from regular rain, so our devotion to one another hydrates and brings our love alive. #sincerelove

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