Let love be genuine

Romans: The Gospel for God’s glory
Romans 12:9-10
Let love be genuine
Let love be genuine, abhorring evil and clinging to good

These verses are working out further what it means to present your whole life to God as a living sacrifice, and being transformed by the renewal of your mind to discern the good, acceptable, perfect will of God.

1) Let love be genuine, 12:9a. This could be translated, “let love be without hypocrisy.”
Why did Paul start his exhortations with “let love be genuine,” or “without hypocrisy”? What are ways we might serve or fellowship with others in hypocritical love? How can we grow in loving others with genuine love?

2) Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good, 12:9b.
Genuine love includes abhorring what is evil and holding fast to what is good. What does what Paul says in Romans 7:15 and 19 say about hating evil in our own lives? What are some “good” things we should hold fast to in order to overcome evil in our lives? (Example: 2 Peter 1:3).
What are examples of evil in the culture we should abhor? With these examples, what are the corresponding good that we should hold fast to? In abhorring evil in our culture, why do we need to hold fast to “gospel good”?

3) Love one another with brotherly affection, 12:10a.
This could be translated, “Have tender family affection for one another in brotherly and sisterly love.” Why is it so important that we love our brothers and sisters in Christ (see John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 1:22)? In what ways is the church like a family? How does this impact how we love one another?

4) Outdo one another in showing honor, 12:10b.
What does it mean to “show honor”? How can we “outdo one another in showing honor”?