"BELIEVERS
ARE TO LIVE IN LOVE"
Romans 12:9-13
Paul
uses a series of "one liners" of wisdom that,
if adhered to, will bring tremendous success in one's personal
Christian life and in one's relationship with the world.
In verse 9, he tells us to let love be without dissimulation.
The word "dissimulation" means hypocrisy. Love
is not to be hypocritical, "not slothful in business."
Literally, "in zeal" really does refer to owning
a business or being an entrepreneur. A better translation
is in the NIV: "never be lacking in zeal." The
word translated for "slothful" in the KJV means
to be idle or lazy. The Christian is never to be lazy in
the work of the Lord.
In
lives which are truly being transformed by the renewing
of the mind, there is no room for slack or sloth, for that
is an attitude which seeks to get by with as little work
and inconvenience as possible.
In
all of our many activities during the course of a day or
a week, we are not to be wrapped up in ourselves. Verse
13 (NIV) challenges us to "share with God's people
who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Pastor
D.U. Cooper
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