Relationships between two people often come to a crossroads when one person behaves in a way the other person sees as inappropriate. Our reaction is, “What was she thinking?” or “How can he do that?” These are the times when we need love.

Love is thinking and acting in a positive and caring manner toward the other person regardless of their attitude or behavior. The Bible has some very practical advice here. It says, “Love must be sincere.”

In the Greek language in which the New Testament was written, the word “sincere” literally means “without wax.” The Greeks often patched cracks and defects in marble statues with wax. The repairs were invisible when it was cool, but in the heat, the wax melted and the defects reappeared. Sincere love is the real thing – it looks the same when relationships heat up!

The Bible continues, “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Now we’re getting down to reality. There’s good and bad in every relationship. We are to look for the good and hold on to it. Love doesn’t require us to like what is evil, but we are to hate the sin and love the sinner.

The passage ends with, “Honor one another above yourselves.” It’s easy to make everything be about us. The advice here is to focus on honoring other people whether they are nice to us or not. Even if it doesn’t heal the relationship, honoring others above ourselves will make us more loving and more like Jesus.