What does a Christian look like? It is a foundational principle that a Christian is someone who professes faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, but it is important to remember that the Lord works in the life of the believer to make the believer more and more like Jesus. That means that the Christian should grow in grace and Christlikeness in a variety of ways. In Romans 12, the Apostle Paul begins to explore the marks of the Christian, and he starts in verses 9 and 10 with the greatest of all Christian virtues: love. Paul describes what love is – and we need to listen to the Scriptures rather than the world around us. Paul writes that love must be genuine – without hypocrisy and sincere. Love must also be active – it hates what is evil and loves what is good. Finally, love must be fervent and affectionate – it is like the affection that family members have for one another. Are you growing in your love for others, especially fellow believers? This is something we all must think about, as we look at “The Marks of the Christian 1: Love” (Romans 12:9-10).

I. Love’s Principle
A. Genuine
B. Founded in Truth

II. Love’s Action
A. Abhor Evil
B. Cling to Good

III. Love’s Pursuit
A. Affection
B. Relationship

Questions for consideration: (1) Why do you think Paul needs to remind us that love has to be genuine? Have you ever been tempted to “pretend” love? What resulted from that? (2) Why does Paul caution about a “love” that does not act? (3) Why is it hard sometimes to love others?