October 6, 2026
EXPRESSIONS OF REAL LOVE
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:9–13 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Having addressed how our spiritual gifts ought to function in harmony (Romans 12:3–8), Paul turns to the divine engine that powers every single gift: unfeigned, actionable love.
It is easy to speak about love in abstract religious terms, but Paul brings it down to the ground level of daily Christian relationships. He outlines four distinct ways authentic love must express itself within the body of Christ.
1. Demonstrate Honest Love (v. 9)
Paul starts with a startling command: "Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them."
Why would Paul issue such a warning? Because fake love was a problem 2,000 years ago, and it remains a problem today.
The Reality of Leadership:
I recently talked with a leader who had just accepted a significant advancement in their career. I reminded them that stepping into higher leadership inevitably reveals two things: false friends and true enemies.
Selfish human nature often feigns love as long as a relationship offers an advantage or leverage. But the love of Christ is completely free of pretense or hidden agendas. It loves people for who they are, not for what they can provide.
2. Demonstrate Humble Love (v. 10)
Paul commands us to "take delight in honoring each other."
Our culture constantly judges people based on social standing, net worth, educational credentials, or outward appearance. But inside the body of Christ, worldly status symbols are stripped away. We choose to see every person through the eyes of God—as a soul of immense, eternal value.
Look at the example of Jesus:
He bypassed social taboos to engage in a life-changing conversation with a Samaritan woman at a well (John 4).
He welcomed marginalized tax collectors, beggars, and young children when others brushed them aside.
Humble love refuses to look down on anyone; instead, it takes genuine joy in lifting others up and showing them honor.
3. Demonstrate Enthusiastic Love (vv. 11–12)
Life can be exhausting. Difficult circumstances and demanding people can drain our emotional energy, while Satan uses days of discouragement to tempt us to give up.
Paul reminds us of who we are ultimately serving: the Most High God! Because our assignment comes from Him, we possess an anchor of confident hope.
A Song for the Storm:
Years ago, Ira Stanphill wrote that timeless song:
"Anyone can sing when the sun is shining bright, but you got to have a song in your heart in the night."
Trouble is an expected part of our spiritual pilgrimage. But believers who maintain their Holy Spirit enthusiasm through life's storms will always walk in victory. We choose to rejoice in hope, stay patient in trouble, and remain steady in prayer.
4. Demonstrate Serving Love (v. 13)
Finally, Paul insists that genuine love cannot remain purely verbal—it must roll up its sleeves: "When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality."
Authentic love sees the pain, hurt, and practical struggles of others and steps in with action. It willingly invests time, talent, and treasure to relieve burdens. Real love doesn't merely say, "I'm praying for you” it opens its heart, its home, and its hands to meet tangible needs.
Reflection & Application
Is your love genuine or transactional? Have you invited the Holy Spirit to cleanse your heart of pretense so you can love people without expecting anything in return?
Do you show honor to everyone? Are you treating people of every background with the dignity, value, and respect Jesus showed?
Is your love active? How can you practically share your time, talent, or financial resources to help a fellow believer in need this week?
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit, pour the genuine love of God into my heart today. Wash away all pretense, selfishness, and hypocrisy from my relationships.
Help me see every person I encounter through Your eyes—as a deeply valued child of God. Teach me to take delight in honoring others and serving them with humility.
When trials or weary seasons come, renew my enthusiasm and joy. Give me a song in the night and make me quickly open my hands and my heart to help those in need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
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