It sometimes shocks me how new and fresh the Word can be. I’ve been studying Romans 12, verse by verse. Today I found a gem that is really applicable to my life and my relationships.
“Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want to yourselves.” Romans 12:10
How do I love my brother and sister? With fondness, patience, and positive expectations. I love them because of who they are, not because of what they do. I go out of my way for them.
But it was the second part of this verse, that really caused me to pause. Give each other more honor than you want for yourself. Giving honor? I’ve given a lot of gifts, but what does it mean to give honor to others? Is it respect? Appreciation? Value? Kudos? The dictionary says, “Treat someone with great respect” and it says respect is “great admiration.”
I think I might need to study what actions equal respect. Our world has been filled with so many shady people and bad leaders, that sometimes I think I have traded in admiration for skepticism. Maybe God’s word is telling me its time for a change.
Romans 14 goes really well with Romans 12…ENJOY!