Love in Action

Read Romans 12: 9-21

Don't just pretend that you love others: really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always. Romans 12: 9-12 (TLB)

Don't quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone; just as much as possible. Romans 12:18 (TLB)

When Ben Byrum, from Texas, applied for his first job after college graduation, he spent a whole day interviewing with multiple executives. Every interviewer ended by telling me, "You're a shoo-in for this job." A month later, the recruiter called to inform Ben that he was not selected. She relayed to Ben that all his interviewers thought he wouldn't be able to give a confident pitch to a room full of executives. They said he was too nice and would struggle to navigate the office politics.

It is a misconception that kindness is weakness. Displaying kindness reflects self-restraint. Finding the strength to live at peace with those around us is difficult, but thanks be to God that we can do so by following the blueprint in today's passage of scripture. In some Bible translations, this passage is titled, "Love in Action." Wouldn't it be great if the world displayed more love in action?

As someone whose confidence flows from trust in Jesus Christ, Ben took it as a compliment to be rejected for this job because he was too nice. Kindness, combined with God's love, can change us and the world.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us the strength we need to live at peace with everyone. Help us to rejoice in hope, stay patient in affliction, and persist in prayer, in Jesus' name. Amen.