Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10
Here is a competition where we can rightly fight for first place in line: in honoring one another. Not just tolerating one another, but honoring one another.
Every church should be a culture of honor. The gospel is all about honor replacing shame. Every Christian will be forever glorious with the glory of the risen Jesus: "To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 2:14). Let's see one another not as we are now but as we will be then. Our future glory makes Romans 12:10 an obvious thing to do.
It is also rare. Romans 12:10 might be the most ignored Scripture in our churches today, which are too often cultures of shaming rather than cultures of honoring.
But who wouldn't want to walk into church this next Sunday morning to a hero's welcome? And why not? We may not be the greatest Christians in the world. But by God's grace we didn't go apostate in a whole week.
That's worth celebrating.
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5 comments:
Imagine how our church would be transformed? Sad to say we are too narcissistic, we love ourselves too much rather than our Master and our fellow servants.
You make such a great point here. Many times I know that I deal with someone from a place of tolerating them. I serve them, I'm joyful in service but at the same time gritting my teeth and showing them the basic level of respect.
This really gives me something to pray and work on in my life. Thanks, Pastor.
It's a good thought about being able to rightly fight for first place. But we would soon turn it into "I honor people better then you do."
Good point, Ken. Thank you.
Still, the word "outdo" is there. Paul does not say, "Honor one another" but "Outdo one another in showing honor."
If we hold back from obeying the command out of concern over distorting the command, wouldn't that be disobedience too?
This is so helpful and needed for the Western church. Too many of us don't see the shame of sin. So we don't rejoice in the honor the gospel brings. When we see how God honors such shameful creatures, we will better honor one another.
He has given us the right to become children of God. He who believes in him will not be put to shame. Hallelujah!
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