Honor

What ideas, thoughts, or images come to mind when you hear the word “honor”?
Here are some possibilities: respect, great esteem, renown, integrity, virtue, faithfulness, admiration, and reverence.
As you read through this list of ideas, what applications did you make? Would you have those thoughts about a parent, trusted friend, mentor, boss, someone in the military? Sometimes those attributes are assigned and at other times they are earned.

The Bible gives us a great example of how this honor or esteem plays out in everyday life.  In Romans 12:9-13 we read: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
The heading for this section in my Bible is “Love in Action.” Notice all the action going on in this verse. It’s not just a feeling or impression, it is also put into action.
As you think about different relationships in your life, how should this passage guide that relationship? Think about it in family, at work, in church, in friendships, with neighbors. Romans 15:7 encourages us to “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” This does not mean to merely tolerate one another. It is active support and encouragement.

Let’s step forward in our daily lives with this mindset: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34).”

4832 Ponderings:

• How would your life change if bickering, complaining, and comparing ended?
• Pick a relationship in your life that you can strive to improve based on the Bible verses shared here. Ask God to show you how.