Outdo one another in showing honor. – Romans 12:10
Competition can be healthy, challenging teammates and opponents to do better. Sports have a long tradition of competitions, some healthy and not-so-healthy depending on attitude. Today’s verse challenges believers to a little healthy competition: to outdo one another in showing honor. To gain a clearer vision for practical application, other words that can be inserted here rather than honor could be respect, love, kindness, consideration, graciousness, generosity, hospitality.
Think of someone in your congregation, acquaintances, friends, or family who exhibits these qualities in the ways they relate to people. How do they show respect? Do they treat others civilly, even those they don’t agree with? How do they express love? Do they volunteer to teach a children’s class or remember people’s birthdays? How do they show kindness and consideration? Are they making sure there are enough chairs when a latecomer enters the room? How are they gracious? Are they nice to people, even to those who don’t deserve it? How do they show generosity and hospitality? Do they invite people over to their homes? Now, aim to outdo them.
Like in sports, when a person or team excels, it spurs others to do their best. Imagine what it would be like if church members tried to outdo each other in showing honor. Efforts would increase and it would bring others in, like sports events draw crowds. Pray for the United States and that believers, especially, would aim to outdo each other in being the extended hands and feet of Jesus.
Today’s Verse: Romans 12:10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Act 2:42-47
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
