Love is not just words, but actions, and it must be sincere. Ie it is not a matter of trying to gain advantage by being kind. We are to hate what is evil and hold on to what is good. We are to use discernment, deciding what is good and what is not. We are to be devoted to one another and to honour each other above ourselves. Self-centredness is a key element of our sinful condition. With the help of the Holy Spirit we are to put this sin to death. This is not a debasement of ourselves, but an honouring of others. Make decisions which put others first.
We are to have zeal and spiritual fervour serving the Lord. So serving the Lord is not to be an act of drudgery, but one of joy. Now there will be times when it is hard work, when our enthusiasm does wane, but we are not to accept these times as permanent. Instead we should ask the Lord to renew our joy and zeal. And we are to do this in all circumstances. There is no circumstance in which we cannot know the joy of the Lord. This does not mean we will not know suffering as well, but joy and suffering are not mutually exclusive.
When times are tough we are to be patient, and we are to pray. This is not just praying for ourselves, but praying for others. In fact an excellent thing to do in the midst of difficulties is to make it our practice to spend time praying for others, putting ourselves aside for a time.
As well as praying for others, we are to give to others in practical ways as well. When we do these things we will find that all the theology that Paul has given in the first eleven chapters becomes a living reality.
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