Fellowship With The Word

Romans 12:9-10 NKJV [9] Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. [10] Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. The verse 10 communicates a disposition we should maintain towards fellow believers which was translated in English as kindly affectionate. But we may not fully grasp what that truly means just by looking on the surface. The word used there was the Greek 'philostorgos' which is to be fraternal towards Christians. From two words; 'philos' (meaning 'dear' as used with a friend. Also means to be fond of or friendly with sm1), and 'storgē' (familial love and fondness that exists between siblings or family relations or a couple). Storgē is not used in the Bible in any verse but to understand it we can look at the opposite of philostorgos. The opposite of philostorgos can be found in the Bible: 'astorgous', used in the Greek translation of Scripture to mean ‘without natural affection,’ and seen in Romans 1v31. The word “astorgous” is translated as “heartless or hard hearted.” The essence of the brief word study is to arrive at an encouragement from the instruction. It is to be as disposed and available to other believers as you would be to your family of blood. And to be very warm and considerate and kind to them as you are toward your family. V9 said love should be without hypocrisy. Don't measure your love and cherry pick who you'll love more because of fleshy evaluations. We are instructed in the word to Know no one after the flesh. You make no difference loving only those who love you, or who you consider deserving of your love. I beg and beseech you to act on this truth. Begin to be much more sensitive to the needs of others. Love is not consumed with oneself. Let your words be gracious and stand for truth in love. PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for being the perfect example of love and for laying down your life for me. Thank you because your word says that your love has been shed abroad in my heart through the Holy Spirit that was given to me. I do not struggle to love because I received your nature which is love. Thank you because I demonstrate this love to the people around me and to the world at large. I declare that through my life, men will come to understand the love of God. I love you Jesus and I am grateful for this privilege. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Loving Like Christ Jesus