Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. I Peter 1:22 (new International Version, NIV)

The word sincere in this verse means without putting on an act, without hypocrisy. We are to be loving people for real, not with a feigned or fake love. To do so, our souls must be purified and cleansed from defilement.

As our soul is purified, love can flow from our hearts, and bad thoughts, emotions and a stubborn will won’t stop God’s love from flowing forth. Because God’s love has been shed abroad, or poured forth, in our hearts (Romans 5:5), we can choose with our wills to love.

Our souls are made clean by obeying truth. Truth of the Word cleans, frees, and strengthens us to obey God. As a result, our love is sincere, not phoney or fake. We’re not play-acting, but we really love one another. God loves deeply and we love deeply as well.

All of this leads me to this point: we would all be happier if we would look at what other people give us rather than their shortcomings and what they do not do for us. Even more, we would be much better off if we were to focus more on what we can give and do for others instead of always thinking of what we can gain from others. Yes, it is enjoyble to receive, but we get more joy from giving.

As we have the right perspective, one of sincerely loving and giving to others, we can build better, healthier, happier relationships. As we turn from being takers to becoming givers, we love like God loves. Our love becomes deeper, more lasting, and real. Our love becomes deeper than just physical love or soulish love, but we love from our spirits.

So, let’s all make a conscious effort to see how we can love one another as Jesus loves us. As we do, the world will be a better place for all of us.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 (NKJV)