“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 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.”

Romans 12:9–16

Paul reminds us in Romans 12 that transformation by God’s grace doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens as we live together as the body of Christ.

Using the image of a body, Paul shows us that life and growth come through connection. When we choose to live disconnected from the church, we cut ourselves off from the very place God uses to form us. What holds the body together is love — not the fragile, emotional love our culture often celebrates, but agape love: self-giving, sincere, and active.

Paul describes love that is honest and discerning, devoted like family, enthusiastic in action, patient in suffering, faithful in prayer, generous with resources, hospitable to others, and willing to share both joy and pain. This kind of love isn’t something we produce by trying harder; it flows from the grace we’ve already received in Christ.

True love commits to people for the long haul. It challenges, supports, celebrates, and suffers together. As we live this way, we become a visible picture of God’s kingdom — a city on a hill — transformed together by grace.