Love and Honor

Romans 12:10 ESV
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

We have no problem giving honor to our closest friends. But what about all the brothers and sisters in the Lord? What about showing all the family in the Lord honor?

To be honest, being in church work since I was 19, there were some people along the way that were almost unlovable at times. I don’t have anyone in mind, but there were definitely some challenging people along the way. Those that I called brother and sister sandpaper, because they would rub you the wrong way.

I remember a few challenging ones many years ago that I would greet Sunday after Sunday. Even though they had the same sour look on their face, Sunday after Sunday. I would smile and greet them, even though they could barely muster up a hand shake, much less a smile.

Loving them and showing them honor was not always easy, but it was the right thing to do. After all, they were children of God, and my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Loving only the lovable, what credit is that? Showing honor to only the gracious and kind what credit is that?

Love because Jesus loved us when we were unlovable. Show honor to the brothers and sisters because God wants us too.

Prayer:
Lord, You said, “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” (Luke 6:32-33) Help me to love and honor all the brothers and sisters in the Lord, always! In Your name Lord I ask, Amen!