“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” – Romans 12:10 (ESV)
What does it mean to honor others? To understand what honor means, let’s look at Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology definition: “To honor others is to appreciate, value, and respect them. It means to recognize the full worth and importance of a person”.
I wonder what this world would look like if we tried to outdo each other in showing honor? Do you think we would have fewer divorces if a husband and wife tried to outdo each other in honoring each other? Would our children have more confidence, would they feel more valued, would their home be a wonderful place to be raised in? Sometimes those we love the most, we honor the least because of familiarity. What do you think would happen if we changed that?
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourself.” Romans 12:10
What about at work? Would it be a peaceful environment where the term “cut-throat” was never heard of, or ever demonstrated? A place where you had each other’s back and you were always trying to help the other person shine. You never care who gets the credit just as long as the company looks good.
And what about at church? What would it be like if everyone that walked through the doors was greeted with a smile and a hearty welcome? How about trying to outdo each other by asking a first-time guest that is alone if they’d like to sit with you? Do you think this could possibly make the church as a whole more desirable to non-church goers?
1 Peter 2:9 …” for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.”
Do you think this world, your family, and your life would be better if you honored God more by honoring others? Honoring others without expecting anything back would indeed change the world around you. And the change would start with YOU!
“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” John 12:26
-Tammie Beyer
