Love

What this episode covers

About this series: As we come out of lockdown and hope to open up Sunday meetings again, is to look at what it means to be community - both church community and community more widely. In the first 11 chapters of Romans, Paul has been outlining the gospel of Jesus Christ and what it means for both Jews and Gentiles. In chapter 12 he transitions to the practical matters of community life in light of the gospel - that they should live for God, use their gifts to serve one another and love each other sincerely. About this talk: Romans 12:9-10 Up to this point in Romans, four times the Greek word "agape" has been used, it has always been in reference to God’s love for us. Paul now uses it for how we are to relate to one another. In other words, as is true throughout the New Testament, the love we are to have for one another is modelled on God’s love for us. Here in vs 9-10a, it is described as a love that is sincere, that hates evil, that loves what is good and that is characterised by a family-like devotion.If God is love, if Christ has loved us and “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit”, what does it look like to be active in practical demonstrations of love for others?

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