Who can do it best? Who can do it better?

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “What the world needs now”

Our Bible verse for today: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 (ESV)

Our thought for today: “Who can do it more? Who can do it better?”

I recently came across a wonderful commentary note about the subject of showing proper honor – Biblical honor – to others. “We may think of honor as esteeming someone, but when Scripture says to give honor to one another, what does it look like in a practical way? This means that we demonstrate regard for others’ needs before attending to our own. We do this not just practically, but also spiritually and emotionally.”

Let me unpack that for us: First, honoring someone is indeed esteeming them. It is a matter of seeing the other person as being worthy of respect and dignity. Second, in a practical Scriptural way, “honor” is a verb, it is an action word. Just as love is a verb and is meant to be demonstrated not just felt and not even just talked about. So too with showing honor or esteeming someone. It needs to come out in our words and actions. The esteem and respect we show them, the dignity we impart to them, should come through in our words and in the way we treat them.

Third, this form of Biblically honoring someone is unselfish. Our focus is on the other person not on ourselves. And we are willing to inconvenience ourselves, perhaps even sacrifice to make the other person feel honored, respected, esteemed. And fourth, we do it with the intent of building the person up spiritually and emotionally. It is our intent for the person to walk away from this encounter feeling lifted up, encouraged, and blessed.

Now, what if that was our normal church experience? And what if we were all doing it? Paul says in Romans 12:10 that our goal should be to outdo each other in the extent to which we are intentional about showing Biblical honor to each other – esteeming, respecting, blessing, lifting up, encouraging.

What if every single one of us on Sunday morning was intent on being the biggest blessing to the largest number of people? What if it was a contest to see who can do it more and who can do it better? I don’t know about you but I think that would be one awesome church family and an awesome church experience (Oak Hill Baptist I’m giving you a shout-out here!)

I encourage you to make honoring others something you do naturally and often. In the best Biblical sense, honor is a verb. It is an action word.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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