Rom.12 9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

The essential component to godliness for the son is walking after the selfless love of Christ, and Paul’s exhortation to “let love be” consists of the son operating upon a renewed mind, and knowing the selfless love of Christ. And he is being exhorted to ‘simulate’ Christ’s selfless love, and instead of simulating how this world operates, Paul desires that they “let love” simulate how Christ walked in love while upon this earth as the Son whom His Father was “will pleased.” In other words; Paul is saying: ‘don’t allow your love to NOT look like Christ’s Love,” but “let” it follow, or ‘simulate’ His Love in our lives.

[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

1. “Kindly”

2. “Affectioned”

3. “With Brotherly Love”

4. “In Honor”

5. “Preferring One Another”

These 5 components of the selfless love of Christ are given to show the ‘expressions’ of the selfless love of Christ that Paul teaches the Saints here in Romans chapter 12. And the Love of Christ has the capacity to operate upon all 5 of the expressions of the selfless Love of Christ at the same time, because this is how the Lord walked while here on the earth, and the Apostle Paul would not ask the saints to do something that was impossible to do, or something that only a few could accomplish, but he knew that this was

[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Moreover, the only way that we will not be “slothful” in the Lord’s “business,” and “fervent in” our spirit, and serve the Lord is that we have to operate upon His Love. And the things mentioned in verse 12, and 13 will be accomplished by walking in His Selflessness as well.

[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
[15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
[16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
[17] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Therefore, when the Saints fully understand the ‘real Love of Christ,’ he will be “transformed by the renewing” of his mind by the Word of God. And when he is “persecuted,” he is taught by the Father to do as Christ would do in Selflessness; He would “bless, and curse not.” And instead of ‘recompensing’ to men “evil for evil” we feel that we have been wronged, we are taught by our Father to “provide things honest in the sight of all men.” This how the Lord operated upon Love, and if we are going to ‘simulate’ His Love, this is what it ‘looks like.’

[18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
[19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Furthermore, the carnal minded natural man does not understand this type of love, he assumes that love is expressed in certain holiday, or charitable contributions, or showing ordinary love to our family members, or to our spouse. And the instructions given to the Saints who have learned the ‘real love of God,’ verses 14 through 21, are not received by the natural man that is conformed this world, it would be looked upon as “foolishness” to “bless” someone who has just persecuted you. And he would also assume it to be foolish to feed his enemy, instead of walking according to the way this world has taught him.

[20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

And the only way we are going to put on the doctrine of selfless love, is to be led by the Selfless Love of Christ in our hearts. We must be the “living sacrifice” that we are beseeched to be in verse 1, but as we can see, Paul does this “BY the mercies of God.” And notice that he brings to remembrance God’s “mercies,” one of the Selfless expressions of God’s Love, and we are asked to ‘give up’ our own sakes, just like the Lord did for us, and the way the Father did by His mercies shown for us. It is first given by this ensample that we are taught the ‘identity’ of their Selfless Love, and then we will be able to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

[21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Finally, “charity” is also one of the expressions of the selfless Love of Christ, and notice all of the other godly expressions of selfless love in the verses below? Verses 12, and 13 details 7 expressions of the Selfless Love of Christ, and then in verse 14 Paul says “and above all these things put on charity.” And all 8 expressions of  selfless love can operate within us IF we “let” our love ‘simulate’ the Father’s Love, and His Son’s Love in our lives, but we must put Him on, but the only way to allow His Word to work effectually within us is to “let the Peace of God rule” in our hearts by His selfless Love.

Col 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 

Col 3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 

Col 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 

Col 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

Rod Jones