Beautiful Word: Your Daily Devotion

Daily Scriptural Insights, Curated by the Editors of CT | [View online] [ChristianityToday.org] [Donate] [Beautiful Word Newsletter] Wednesday, December 14, 2016 What Love Looks Like [Trillia Newbell] | [@trillianewbell][@trillianewbell] Today’s Verse Powered by the [New Living Translation] “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. . . . When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. . . . Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other.” Romans 12:9–10, 13, 15–16 [View in context] Paul and other biblical writers provided a set of relationship instructions, often called the “one anothers” because they highlight the love and encouragement we should have for one another. These verses primarily focus not on feelings but on intentional pursuits and acts of love. Here’s a short version of what we find in Scripture: - Love one another (John 13:34). - Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10). - Outdo one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10). - Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16). - Don’t put a stumbling block in the way of others (Romans 14:13). - Accept one another (Romans 15:7). - Be patient with one another (Ephesians 4:2). - Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving of one another (Ephesians 4:32). I could go on and on. But as you look at that list and evaluate your relationships, are you left feeling a bit defeated? I haven’t always been devoted to my friends. I haven’t always lived in harmony. I haven’t always been patient. In realizing this, my bubble of pride burst. But the Lord has been faithful in each of those relationships to humble me and teach me how to love better. We won’t always perfectly live out the one anothers, but we can grow. It’s a hard lesson, but one I’m thankful for. Reflect: Read Romans 12:9–18 and some of the other passages listed above. How does this picture of Christian love compare and contrast with the way our culture thinks of love and friendship? Pray: Identify one or two traits of Christian love that you know you need to work on in your relationships. Confess your failings to God, accepting his grace and forgiveness. Trillia Newbell is the author of [Enjoy], [Fear and Faith], and [United]. She is the director of community outreach for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Excerpted from Enjoy by Trillia J. Newbell Copyright © 2016 Trillia J. Newbell. Excerpted by permission of Multnomah, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. [Read devotions online] | [Share with a friend] More for Women ['La La Land' Dances Between Love and Calling] ['La La Land' Dances Between Love and Calling] What Christians might take away from Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling's latest hit. Alicia Cohn [Practicing Advent in a Time of Turbulence] [Practicing Advent in a Time of Turbulence] As our nation deals with division and distrust, how do we approach this liturgical season? Tish Harrison Warren Follow Us [Facebook] [Twitter] [RSS] [Subscribe to this newsletter] In the Current Issue [December] [Is Addiction a Disease? Yes, and Much More] [Subscriber access only] [The Most Uncomfortable Christmas Verse] [Subscriber access only] [Crossing the Wasteland of Faith] [Subscriber access only] [View Full Issue] [Subscribe Now] Christian Bible Studies [1 Peter: Walk the Talk] [Transformation — the process of becoming holy — begins in your mind.] [Multi Session Bible Study] [Beautiful Word] Delivered via email to subscribers daily. [Subscribe] | [Email Preferences] | [Unsubscribe] | [Privacy Policy] | [Advertise] | [Subscribe to CT] You are currently subscribed as: {EMAIL} Copyright ©2016 [ChristianityToday.org], Christianity Today, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.