Observation: This is such a small portion of a short verse but Paul so often, after he has established the theology or mindset from which we should operate, gives the logical application that should follow such truths.
During these practical application times, he is very direct and unashamedly commanding.
"Let love be without hypocrisy." These words "without hypocrisy" are actually one word in Greek that means unfeigned or undisguised. The same word is used in 2 Corinthians 6:6 where Paul says his love for the Corinthians was sincere. In 1 Timothy Paul instructs us to evaluate ourselves to test if our faith is sincere (1:5). James writes that wisdom, if it is from God, is sincere in its application (3:17). Peter repeats Paul's exhortation that our love must be without guile (1:22).
But why such concern over the purity of our love? I think the primary driving force over why a Christian pursues perfect love toward those around him is that we are concerned with reflecting God. If His love were anything but perfect, He would not be God. So, such a simple statement like "let love be without hypocrisy" is really to say that if loving acts are tainted by self-centered (only!) motives then they are not love.
The Apostle John gives us perhaps the most direct and startling warning about false love: "whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother" and then says, "let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."
Yikes! If I don't love those around me in truth and in deed (i.e. sincerely and through actions) I am not God's!
Side note: as seen in 1 John 3:10, Romans 12:1-9, 1 Thessalonians 3:13 and James' letter love is the Siamese twin of holiness. Apparently, one cannot be had without the other.
Application:
This is something I have to get right.
I may have myself fooled into believing that I'm doing well with this though. I don't think it's enough to demonstrate acts of love to a particular group of people (immediate or extended family and friends, for example) but not the rest of the people that enter our lives daily. Moreover, the absence of malice is not the fullness of love. Love must include intentional actions.
If it doesn't wouldn't that be "love with hypocrisy?"
To only love those who love us is far from what Jesus tells us to do.
Prayer: This is a tough one Lord. I'm in a realm that I simply cannot do on my own. I would rather limit my acts of love to those closest to me and then simply be neutral or friendly to the rest of the people. But then I am immediately confronted with the fact that You went to a people who were Your enemies, love them, and died for them. And then You said in the middle of that, "Follow Me." This requires life changing, doesn't it? This will likely require sacrifice of some of my personal plans. I'm not good at that. You know that. Help me please to obey You. You speak to me daily - open My ears to hear and cut my heart to humility. I know I am Your witness to the world. Where have I placed my priorities above Yours? Oh, I am broken. And You love me on and on and on. I love You. I am covered in Your love. Thank You Lord. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
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