Let love be genuine. – Romans 12:9

When it comes to talking about the marks of a true follower of Jesus, it’s no surprise that Paul starts out talking about love.

Literally, Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” This is significant because the hypocrite has one thing on his mind:

What will people think of me?

Not, “Who am I?” Not, “How can I serve?” Not, “How can I make much of the power of the Gospel to transform?” The hypocrite is primarily concerned with what others think of them, trying to make the outside look better than the inside. (Matthew 23:27)

Hypocrisy loves to hide.

We have this part of us that tries to hide and appear better than we really are. We don’t want people to see the “real” us. Because the “real’ us may be repulsive, scandalous, depressed, and unworthy. We think, “If you only knew the ‘real’ me…”

The great news about our approaching God is that we don’t have to hide! Christ died for us, right in the midst of all of our messiness. And the Church, authentic community, should be the same. But there’s a vast difference between the group leader who’s pursuing the Gospel with their group…and the one who’s not.

A me-centered small group leader

• Hides their junk.
• Tries to make much of his or her knowledge of the Bible.
• Hides behind the veneer of leadership.
• Hides behind pushing other people to share their story.
• Shares pain and heartache and difficulties and struggles using the terms, “him, her, they, them, and you.”

A Gospel-Centered Small Group Leader

• Shares their faith story knowing that it displays God’s grace.
• Shares their faith story knowing that it offers hope.
• Shares their faith story knowing that it breaks down walls that keep people from God.
• Pursues vulnerability because they’re not scared of being “found out.” They’ve already been accepted by the King.
• Uses the words, “I, me, and us” way more than, “you, him, her, they, or them.”

Anything less than genuine love (Romans 12:9) is cheapening the grace and mercy and kindness and power of God. Because it’s making much of you, and little of the God we say we love.

Being vulnerable with your faith story leads to Gospel health. And if our aim is Gospel-centered community, then we need to pursue genuine love. Love that says, “I know you, I know your story, I know your pain and your failures and your frustrations and your questions…and I love you still.” That’s what the Gospel says. (Romans 5:6)

And that’s what we should say, too.

*image credit: Creation Swap User Josiah Kopp

 

So a few days ago I was disappointed, and today I’m just left shaking my head.  I was looking at the details and speaker lineup for an upcoming conference designed to help pastors and leaders make the best use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.).  I looked at each speaker’s bio, and clicked through to their blog sites.  Three of their blogs had not been updated in over a week (which isn’t a huge deal), and two had not been updated in over 3 months!  If you are going to be a social media “expert,” you have got to be diligent about interacting in the social media world!  Updating a blog sporadically is fine for most people.  But for others, such as a speaker at a national event, not updating your blog kills your reputation and influence.

Are you becoming an “expert” in your field?  If not, why not?  Those you lead deserve your best.  If you’re a pastor, be the best in town.  If you’re a plumber, offer the best plumbing work available.  If you’re a real estate agent…find a new job (I’m kidding!).  You can become an expert in any field that you want, but it takes effort.  Read, ask questions, learn from others who are better at it than you, practice, practice, practice.

This “blogger” was supposed to be an expert, but he wasn’t.  He could have been, but dropped the ball.  Don’t lose influence with people by claiming one thing and living another.  That’s called hypocrisy.

And nobody likes a hypocrit.

Not even God.

 

I’m listening to a myriad of music right now.  One artist that I’m really liking is Jon Foreman, lead singer of the band Switchfoot, who has recently recorded four EP’s (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer), and has also recently recorded an album with Sean Watkins (of Nickel Creek) as the band Fiction Family.  I love Jon’s song, Instead of a Show.  It’s taken almost directly from Isaiah 1.  Here are the lyrics:

Instead Of A Show
I hate all your show and pretense
The hypocrisy of your praise
The hypocrisy of your festivals
I hate all your show
Away with your noisy worship
Away with your noisy hymns
I stomp on my ears when you’re singing ‘em
I hate all your show

Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show

Your eyes are closed when you’re praying
You sing right along with the band
You shine up your shoes for services
There’s blood on your hands
You turned your back on the homeless
And the ones that don’t fit in your plan
Quit playing religion games
There’s blood on your hands

Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show

Let’s argue this out
If your sins are blood red
Let’s argue this out
You’ll be one of the clouds
Let’s argue this out
Quit fooling around
Give love to the ones who can’t love at all
Give hope to the ones who got no hope at all
Stand up for the ones who can’t stand at all, all
I hate all your show

What do you think?  Is God pleased every time you do “good” things?  Or is there more to it than that?  Can you really displease God while doing the “right” thing?