Authenticity is the theme of the week here on the podcast. Monday we heard from Mark,

who struggled to reconcile how Jesus' life and death could have been fully scripted out by God,

fully acted out by Christ, and all be authentically lived out by Christ too.

The really interesting discussion we had to start the week. But today, we look at

our own authentic living, living authentically with our affections. It's a topic on the table today

because we read Romans chapter 12 versus 9 to 13 together today. Here's the question it inspired

in a young man, 23-year-old, listener named Francisco, who lives in Mexico City.

Pastor John, hello to you. I desperately want to be the type of man who exhibits Romans 12,

verses 9 to 13, in his life. Let love be genuine, abhor what is evil,

hold fast to what is good, love one another with a brotherly affection, outdo one

another in showing honor, do not be slothful and zeal, but fervent in spirit serve the

Lord, rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer, contribute to the needs

of the saints, and seek to show hospitality."

I have sought to make this the mantra of my life for the next year.

There's a lot here to digest as you read this text.

What stands out to you?

Are there any keys in here that you would see to help me live out such a godly life,

not from duty, but from a genuine

affection inside of me. Well, yes, there are some things in this text that I think are going to be

very helpful. At least they help me. I think they are designed by God to help all of us

live the Christian life. And I love this question, Francisco,

and greetings to Mexico City. I love this question because it gives me a chance to say some

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