Love Your Neighbor Romans 12:9-21; 15:1-7

Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied: Love (Ἀγαπήσεις) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love (Ἀγαπήσεις) your neighbor as yourself.

The facets of Agape love as defined by God’s terms in Romans

(1). Sincerity. Romans 12:9a. Love must be sincere (1) Sincerity Romans 12:9a Love must be sincere. Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. (Message)

(2). Discernment. Romans 12:9b. Hate what is evil; cling to (2) Discernment Romans 12:9b Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. (Message)

(3). Familial Bond. Romans 12:10a. Be devoted (φιλόστοργοι) to (3) Familial Bond Romans 12:10a Be devoted (φιλόστοργοι) to one another in brotherly love (φιλαδελφίᾳ) . Be good friends who love deeply. (Message)

(4). Honor. Romans 12:10b. Honor one another above. yourselves (4) Honor Romans 12:10b Honor one another above yourselves. Practice playing second fiddle. (Message)

(5). Fervency of Spirit. Romans 12:11. Never be lacking in zeal, (5) Fervency of Spirit Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. (Message) Matthew 25:40 I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

(6). Patience. Romans 12:12. Be joyful in hope, patient (6) Patience Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. (Message) Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering (NIV slow to anger), and abundant in goodness and truth. (KJV)

(7). Hospitality. Romans 12:13. Share with God's people (7) Hospitality Romans 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. (Message) Matthew 10:40 He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.

(8). Friendliness. Romans 12:14. Bless those who persecute (8) Friendliness Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. (Message) Matthew 5:44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you .

(9). Harmony. Romans 12:15-16. Rejoice with those who rejoice; (9) Harmony Romans 12:15-16 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Laugh with your happy friends when they are happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. (Message)

(10) Non-retaliation. Romans 12:17-21 (10) Non-retaliation Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord... " Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging, “ says God. “I’ll take care of it.”… Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. (Message)

(11) Meekness Romans 15:1-7 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up … Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” … So reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it; now you do it! (Message)

Agape love your neighbor (1). Sincerity. (7) Hospitality. (2) Agape love your neighbor (1) Sincerity (7) Hospitality (2) Discernment (8) Friendliness (3) Familial bond (9) Harmony (4) Honor (10) Non-retaliation (5) Fervency of Spirit (11) Meekness (6) Patience