Bible Reading for May 24 – Romans 12:9-15

What does it really mean to love others? In these verses, Paul gives us a host of examples, but all of them have in common the idea of seeking the welfare of someone else regardless of the cost to the self. In short, true love puts others first, as verse 10 says.

True love means pursuing meaningful relationships, being genuinely glad when others are blessed and genuinely sorry when others suffer. But love does not stop with mere feelings. Instead it insists on us being selflessly generous with our material resources – welcoming the lonely and supporting those who are in any sort of need. That’s the way true love avoids hypocrisy, as Paul says in verse 9.

But true love also knows that everyone’s greatest need is for a close relationship with God. That’s why in verse 12, true love rejoices in the hope of the gospel and looks forward with eager anticipation for the coming of Christ. That’s why true love is willing to put up with great suffering so that others may come to know Christ as savior and Lord. That’s why true love never stops praying for others – for the Lord to draw them ever closer to Himself, blessing them in every way.

Will we love those around us in this way today?

Romans 12:9-15 (NASB)

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.