"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9
Unless you run on a track or opt for a treadmill every day, running hills is just a normal part of training here in the Ozarks. Chances are though, if you polled a group of those Missouri runners and asked whether they like it or not, the majority of them would describe running hills as a love/hate relationship. Either they love the uphill and hate the downhill or hate the uphill and love the downhill. And when it comes to those love/hate and up and down relationships with things or activities, the bible has something to say by commanding us to love others and hate evil.
Sure we all love others right? But if we're honest, a lot of us only pretend to love others. We have learned how to speak kindly to people, learned how not to hurt someone's feelings and maybe even how to appear compassionate or to take a heartfelt interest in someone else. But God calls us to a much higher love that goes beyond pretense and politeness. Romans 12:9 tells us that, "Love must be sincere." and that we are to "Hate what is evil" and "cling to what is good." Sincere love is deep, genuine, profound and real. It demands our heart, our time and our personal involvement. It demands that we love the way Jesus did, truly and wholeheartedly, selflessly and purposefully putting others before ourselves.
False, fake and hollow love should be something we as Christians hate knowing it produces only false hope and leads others away from the Cross. May you and I cling to what is good today... the sincere love that we have for others through Jesus Christ. And may we look for ways to show that love to our friends, family and, yes, even to strangers.
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so sincerely and profoundly that you would send your son to die on the cross for our sins. May we love others in the same way Lord. May we hate pretend love and the evil it produces as we cling to what is good... and that is you, for You are love, and the example you have set before us. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Love them like Jesus - Casting Crowns
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