Love; Be Practical!

January 29, 2026

Love; Be Practical!

I believe in romantic love and sentimental expressions of affection.  My wife probably thinks I could do better than I am, but I am not totally out of touch with my feelings. 

At the same time, I am a pretty practical person.  I believe that if love is genuine then love is expressed in practical ways.  As the Apostle Paul is describing the marks of a true Christ-follower, he moves quickly to the practical expressions of our love for other people.

In Romans 12:13 Paul writes; “Contribute to the needs of the saints (i.e., other Christ-followers); pursue hospitality to strangers.”  Paul says that love for another person will involve identifying their needs and then contributing and/or helping fulfill those needs. 

+If the other person needs a ride to the doctor’s office, we offer a ride. 

+If the other person needs someone to listen to their story, we make the time to listen to their story.

+If the other person needs a pound of hamburger for supper, we offer to give them a pound of hamburger.

We contribute to the needs of other Christ-followers.

Paul also says that love for another person will involve showing hospitality even if we do not know them.

+If the other person walks into the room and looks uncomfortable because they do not know anyone, we approach them and introduce them to our friends.

+If the other person comes to church for the first time and looks a bit lost, we invite them to sit with us.

+If the other person looks confused by a new environment, we ask them if we can help them find their way around.

We show hospitality to people we do not yet know.

Genuine love is about our feelings as well as about our actions.  Real love is always expressed in practical ways.  So, let’s get right to the application.

+If you are married, when was the last time you bought your spouse flowers or gave them a small gift for no reason at all?

+If you are not married, when was the last time you gave a small gift to a close friend for no reason at all?

+If you are a student, when was the last time you helped a friend feel more comfortable in an awkward situation?

+When was the last time you invited a neighbor into your home for a cup of coffee?

+When was the last time you showed how much you appreciate your co-worker?

When we share practical expressions of love by helping someone in need or by offering hospitality to a stranger, delight will fill the hearts of those for whom we have shown a genuine act of love.  They will be blessed and you will be blessed as the giver of those good gifts.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug