What are we clinging onto?

Perhaps we’ve been clinging on to some things we shouldn’t have at times. Things of the past, unfulfilled promises or toxic relationships, they can all be more painful to hold onto than to let go. Perhaps we’ve found ourselves just clinging on to the hope of normality.

I wonder if we could spend a moment of honest reflection without giving the expected answer, before reading any further.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. – Romans 12:9-13

There is so much packed into this small scripture, but I’m struck by the command in verse 9.

Let love be without hypocrisy, or some versions may say, let love be genuine. True love must be that genuine article, with no level of duplicity or hypocrisy. Hypocritical love, is that which seeks to look genuine on the outside, but has ulterior motives deep down. It’s like that partner or friend who says the right things but still somehow leaves you feeling insecure, because their motives were selfish. True love is faithful, dependable and seeks only the best for the object of their affection.

The love Christ has for us, leaves us in no doubt or confusion, because He showed His love through His actions on the cross.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. – John 15:13

For our love to be genuine, we must hate evil. In fact the word chosen to put this across is to abhor. This is to intensely hate or dislike evil. It’s not enough to say you are against evil, yet secretly continue to hold on to sin in your life.

Christ is our standard and ultimate example of pure love in this world and there was no sin or deceit in Him at all.

“Who committed no sin,

Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; – 1 Peter 2:22

We must also be careful what we allow to entertain us. It’s hard to dislike that which gives us comfort and many have then tried to redefine evil for this reason. To ensure we truly understand what is good, we must have our minds renewed daily by the word of God as we work toward His standards, not the worlds.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. – Romans 12:2

Only God can say what is good or evil and we are encouraged to cling only to that which is good.

We are encouraged, not only to acknowledge what is good, but we must cling on to it with both hands, not letting go to take hold of evil. But first, you must be sure what you are holding is good.

Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. – 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22

So take time today to inspect and test all things. Be sure that the love you have is genuine and without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, there is no place for it in the true definition of love.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. – 1 Corinthians 13:6

Jesus said only God is good and we must hold fast to Him in these days like never before. When we are doing all we can to hold on to God, there is no capacity to hold any form of evil in our life. God will then direct us and lead us as we do good to others, being kindly, affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.

I pray today that you would rejoice in hope be patient in tribulation and continue steadfastly in prayer as we cling on to God who is good.