Love That Looks Like Jesus

Text: Romans 12:9–21 (ESV)

Series: Journey’s Road Map

Theme: Genuine Christianity is revealed through radical love, humble service, and overcoming evil with good.

A ship was passing by a remote island when the crew discovered a man who had been stranded there for several years. As they rescued him, they noticed he had built three huts for himself."What is the first hut for?" they asked."That’s my house," the man said."Ok, so what’s the second hut for?""That’s my church," he replied."Ok, so what’s that third hut over there for?"The man replied with a sigh, "Oh... that? That’s the church I used to go to."

Introduction – Love Is Easy… Until People Get Involved

It’s easy to talk about love in general.

It’s hard to love:

difficult people

rude people

ungrateful people

people who hurt you

Romans 12:9–21 takes love out of theory and puts it into real life.

This is not sentimental love.

This is gritty, everyday, Christlike love.

Marks of the True Christian

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Point 1 — Love Must Be Genuine, Not Pretend (vv. 9–13)

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

Explanation

“Genuine” (ἀνυπόκριτος) means without hypocrisy.

Not fake.

Not staged.

Not selective.

Real love:

hates evil

clings to good

honors others

serves with zeal

remains patient in trials

is constant in prayer

meets needs generously

This is love with action, not just words.

Cross-References

1 John 3:18 — Love in deed and truth

James 2:15–17 — Faith without works is dead

Illustration – The Restaurant Smile

You ever notice how some people smile at you in public… and then completely change when they walk away?

That’s performance, not love.

God is not looking for polished kindness.

He is looking for authentic compassion.

Quote — C.S. Lewis

“Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did.”

Application

Love is not measured by feelings.

It is measured by action.

If your love doesn’t move your hands, it hasn’t reached your heart.

Point 2 — Love Responds to People, Not Just Situations (vv. 14–16)

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”

Explanation

Now Paul gets uncomfortable.

Love is not just for friends.

It extends to:

persecutors

hurting people

rejoicing people

lowly people

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

This is emotional connection—not self-centered living.

It means entering someone else’s world.

Cross-References

Matthew 5:44 — Love your enemies

Philippians 2:4 — Look to the interests of others

Illustration – The Hospital Room

A person sitting quietly with someone in pain often does more than someone offering advice.

Presence is powerful.

Love doesn’t always fix.

Sometimes it just stays.

Quote — John Stott

“Love is not a feeling; it is a commitment to seek the good of others.”

Application

Ask yourself:

Do I celebrate others without jealousy?

Do I care when others hurt?

Do I move toward people or avoid them?

Love moves toward, not away.

Point 3 — Love Overcomes Evil with Good (vv. 17–21)

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil…”

Explanation

Paul addresses conflict:

Don’t repay evil

Live peaceably

Don’t take revenge

Trust God with justice

Do good to your enemies

This is not weakness.

This is strength under control.

“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

God does not ignore justice.

He handles it better than we ever could.

Cross-References

Proverbs 20:22 — Do not say, “I will repay evil”

Luke 23:34 — Jesus: “Father, forgive them”

Illustration – The Coal of Kindness

Paul quotes:

“You will heap burning coals on his head.”

In ancient culture, this referred to awakening conviction.

Kindness exposes evil more powerfully than revenge.

Quote — Martin Luther King Jr.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Application

Revenge feels powerful—but it poisons your heart.

Forgiveness feels costly—but it frees your soul.

Conclusion — What Real Christianity Looks Like

Romans 12:9–21 shows us:

Love must be genuine

Love engages people deeply

Love overcomes evil with good

This is not natural behavior.

This is Spirit-produced transformation.

Final Reflection

Anyone can love people who are easy.

Jesus calls us to love people who are hard.

That’s what makes it supernatural.

Closing Line

“When you return good for evil, you prove that grace is stronger than sin.”

Amen.