Love Like You Mean It: Living Out Romans 12:9

In a world full of noise, influence, and constant distractions, it is easy to lose sight of what really matters. But there’s one verse I’m constantly brought back to—one that centers me, grounds me, and reminds me of who I’m called to be:

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good.” – Romans 12:9 (NIV)

This verse has significantly shaped how I walk through life. It’s taught me how to love deeply and genuinely, and how to hold fast to what is good—even when the world around me feels anything but. Life isn’t about just going through the motions. It’s about something more than ourselves. We’re here to love God and to love the people He places around us.

Love Must Be Sincere Let’s be real—"fake love"is everywhere.

Surface-level friendships, empty compliments, smiling for the sake of appearances. But God calls us to something deeper. Sincere love means showing up for people even when it’s inconvenient. It means being real, even when life is messy.

Sincere love comes from knowing how deeply we’re loved by Jesus. He didn’t love us because we earned it—He loved us just because we’re His. That kind of love changes everything.

How do we love sincerely?

We love sincerely by being present—by choosing love not just in words, but in action. It means slowing down enough to notice others, reaching out with intention, and showing up even when it’s inconvenient.

We love sincerely by being open—letting others see our hearts, not just our highlight reels. There’s beauty in honesty, even when it’s messy. Vulnerability invites connection.

And we love sincerely by being faithful—because real love is more than a feeling. It’s a daily decision to care, to forgive, to stay, and to serve—especially when it’s hard.

Hate What Is Evil

This part might feel intense, but it’s deeply meaningful. Hating evil doesn’t mean hating people—it means standing against what goes against Him and what leads us away from truth, love, and grace. Whether it’s injustice, cruelty, or sin in our own hearts, we’re called to recognize it and reject it.

Cling to What Is Good

There’s so much chaos in the world. It’s easy to get pulled into things that seem fun or harmless but leave us feeling empty. Clinging to what is good is about holding tight to the things that draw us closer to God—His Word, His people, His truth.

What does that look like?

• Spending time with people who lift you up and point you to Jesus.

• Choosing joy, kindness, and hope, even when it’s hard.

• Soaking in Scripture, journaling, praying—building a life centered on Him.

Romans 12:9 has been on my heart lately. It’s a simple but powerful reminder: love genuinely, hate what’s evil, and hold on to what’s good.

It’s helped me slow down and think about how I treat people—how I show up, how I care, and what kind of life I’m building. I really believe we’re here to spread hope and joy, even in small ways. To make people feel seen. To live in a way that points to something bigger.

So maybe just take a second and ask yourself: Am I loving people well? Am I letting go of the things that pull me away from who I want to be? Am I holding tight to what’s good?

Just trying to love people well, stay close to what’s good, and let that be enough.