Romans 12:9-10

Let love be genuine;
hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
outdo one another in showing honor.

During this quarantine I've been watching a lot of episodes of the NBC sitcom The Office. There is an episode where Dwight decides to bring in breakfast for the whole office. It seems like a nice gift, but he has an ulterior motive, he wants everyone to owe him a favor. Andy does something nice in return because he doesn't want to be indebted to anyone. Then Dwight does something nice for Andy. Then Andy does something nice for Dwight. This goes on and on.

This is one way to practice love, but it is not genuine. This is one way to outdo one another, but it isn't exactly honorable. We are given a better example of the way of love. Jesus loved people everywhere he went, he listened to them, he fed them, he healed them, he forgave them, he told them they belonged to God. He did all this out of love, he did not expect anything in return, he wasn't hoping for a reward. He was genuine in his love for others. He longs for us to love in the same selfless and genuine way.

How are you sharing your love today? Who has shared this kind of selfless love with you?

– Pastor Sara

Prayer

Loving God, we pray for the opportunity today to love like Jesus. Help us to see it and boldly act. Amen.