Romans 12:9-21 written out below describes how we are to live in light of knowing who God is and who we are in Him.  There are 31 exhortations; one for every day of the month give or take.  I will start with the first one.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,serve the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

The love referred to above is agape love which finds its home in action as opposed to feeling. Love displayed in action is genuine love.  This genuine love is first and foremost initiated by God the Father toward us.  Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Therefore in response, “We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (I John 4:19-21.).  This commandment is written about in the book of Matthew where Jesus is asked which is the greatest commandment in the Law.  And Jesus responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

In Christ, let your love be genuine!  

1. Love God!  Know who He is!  Remember the ABC’s of God?  Spend time with Him every day. 
2. Love yourself! Not in self-centered way, but in a way that displays who you are in Him.  He lives in you and you belong to Him. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Take care of yourself so that you can love God and others. It’s hard to love others when you aren’t taking care of yourself both in body and mind. 
3. Love others! Seek the welfare of others before your own with no strings attached.  Serve those who are hurting. Be hospitable and open your home. Pay it forward it in the drive through for coffee. Get to know the people who serve you by name in the places that you shop. 
4. Love your enemies! Matthew 5:43-45 says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I (Jesus) tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

May each of you fear not, remain humble, pray and seek the Lord, turn from your sin, know the days that we are living in, trust the Lord that He will make all things new and that He is preparing a place for you, be salt of the earth and the light of the world by loving genuinely.

Blessings to you,

Heather 

I will post the song, “By Our Love.” by King and Country https://youtu.be/cEwb51LawAI