Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

When I was in college, I sang in a 100+ person choir. We sang classical music acapella, and the harmonies were rich. One of my friend’s now has a son who is an opera singer in Europe. Listening to his vocals is also a pretty special experience.  

As I woke up this morning, to write this devotional, I sat out in my sunken patio in my backyard. All around me a chorus of voices were singing the beautiful music. These voices were the birds. Each one had a different type of chirp. And together, their music was overpowering. I let it wash over me and wondered what it might mean?

This is what I think God was saying to me: God made us with a variety of pretty amazing gifts. He designed our gifts to be best used in community. We make beautiful music together as we stick together. And when times are tough, the dissonant chords are more beautiful still.

I love this passage in Romans 12, because it spells it out for us — “LOVE MUST BE SINCERE!”

So what does a sincere love look like? 1) It hates evil. It hates everything that God says is not good. Instead, it clings to the God-defined good things, and lets them grow and build all around. 2) Devotion is key. We must be devoted to one another and hold up others’ interests above our own. We must investigate the interests of others and dig deep to love them well. 3) Serve God together with boldness, passion, and persistence. Never give up on the things he calls you to. 4) Practice these three: a) let hope bring you joy; b) in joy, as you hold onto the hope of heaven, endure suffering and be patient in letting God deliver justice in his timing, and c) to build all of these godly attributes, be disciplined to pray each day, to dwell with God, to seek him out wherever he can be found. 5) Share, host, repay evil with a blessing, be humble.

The one that brings these all together is to live in harmony with one another. Together, we make such rich, beautiful music in life, music with such a depth of love and joy, that the light of Christ shines brightly! And, oh, how fast the darkness cowers back to its evil pit when it hears it.

Lord, make music with me today, as I unite with your faithful people. You desire unity in your church and this unity can only be centered on you: your love, your grace, your truth, and your justice. May I be one who builds up and promotes the unity of the church!