Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Romans 12:9, “Love without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”

Background

Have you ever been accused of being a hypocrite? If not, you probably should have. And I say that not because I know something specific about any one of you, but merely because I know at least a little bit about myself. And I think it’s safe to say that you and I are similar enough in our sinful natures and struggles to live a holy life that you have behaved hypocritically. I know I have. In fact, some of my worst moments are when I realize that I have acted in a hypocritical way. That realization has a way of knocking down any facades I may have erected for myself or any shrines I may have built to myself. But the hypocrisy is not usually in how I might treat two other people differently. What is far more prevalent is my tendency to love myself one way and love God another. And rest assured, I am not the one getting the short end of the stick. And since my love for God is not consistent with my love for myself or my expressed devotion and faith in Him, it has an effect on those around me. For when I choose to worship at my shrine, sacrifices must be made. And usually what gets slain on the altar is my humility and desire to put others before myself. Failing to honor and glorify my Father leaves me with just empty words of supposed faith which quickly succumb to my will and my old nature. And that is a picture-perfect example of a hypocrite.

Application

There’s a reason the world uses hypocrisy as an excuse not to follow Jesus or come to church. And there’s a reason it stings us so much, and is so hard to overcome. Because it’s all true. Does God get your firstfruits? How about your whole heart, soul, mind and strength? Do you abhor evil, even in its most subtle and comfortable forms? Are you clinging to what is good instead of piling on like the other naysayers and complainers? Loving God has a way of taking care of all of that. So when that time comes, and it will at any minute, when you have to choose whom to love, don’t be a hypocrite.

Charge

As we seek Him today, ask God the Father to reveal His great love to you. Treat each moment as an opportunity to experience and express your love to Him in return.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words