"Do not just PRETEND to love others, REALLY LOVE them. Hate what is wrong. Hold fast to that which is good. Love one another with brotherly affection, honor one another above yourself!"
When you love others, is it sincere or are you just pretending? Is your love of others, the "real thing"? Others will know the truth of your affection and it is for certain that God knows your heart. You can not mock God and if you fake feelings of love and concern that are not genuine or sincere you will not fool God. Wearing a mask as the hypocrites do and mouthing words or platitudes of love may fool some but eventually the mask comes off. True love is real love. The way a person loves their children, unconditionally, is a good example. Our love of God should also be unconditional and it should grow with each passing day. The more we hold fast to that which is good and love one another with brotherly affection, the more we honor God.
If you are able to love sincerely and hold fast to that which is good, then you will quite naturally hate that which is evil. You will loathe that which is ungodly and turn in horror from wickedness. If you are just pretending, and your love for God is not real, everyone will be able to see through it and God will say He never knew you. Do not just PRETEND to love others, give them REAL LOVE. God is love and if we are God's children we will be like Him and that will be expressed in genuine Love. We need to cling to and hold tightly to that which is of God. Do you honor one another with genuine affection and do you take delight in giving preference to others?
As believer's we are to be one big happy family. We are all brothers and sisters and all children of the Lord. We should love each other with bold affection. We should honor one another and make them ahead of ourselves. Believer's should prefer one another to those who love what is wrong and evil. Do you build up your family and treat them with honor? Do you have genuine love for others or are you pretending? Do you hold tight to the Word of God and your faith and belief in Him? Do you take delight in honoring one another of God's family? The Lord is looking for those who love and believe in Him and His Word! NO PRETENDERS - REAL LOVE!
