Being the Church #41

We looked yesterday in Romans 12 at Paul's call to change our mindset on the people God has brought us together with as the church.  He continues on in the next paragraph to describe real church:
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Let love be real.  Real love does not embrace or allow what is evil - not in a self-righteous way, but in a way that says: "This is not good for you; this is not good for us."  Real love - that kind that does what is best for you no matter what it costs me - results in a good kind of outdoing one another - not a showy competition, but a desire to bless everyone as much as possible. Real love is not too laid back, too cool to show affection or excitement.  Real love encourages a brother or sister to not give up and puts up with them when they are hard to get along with.  Real love gives generously, both going out to meet needs and receiving the needy into our homes.  Real church happens when we all are like that one person we look to as an example of Christ-like love.