Outdo one another in showing honor”

Romans 12:10-13

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

As I began to look at the command to “Outdo one another in showing honor” it became apparent that I have little understanding of doing that.  The culture we live in does not bow or exalt others, that is unless they are movie or sports stars, the President, or a leader of some movement, but not a brother or sister in Christ.  Jan my wife, best friend and editor was asked this question as I struggled with this thought, and she said don’t we do that and went on to give a few examples.  And the answer is with a very selected group of folks, but I’ve not seen where we are to have a list of to whom we show honor. 

Could it be once more the world has molded us into its mold of picking and choosing whom we show honor.  In the world I live in giving honor to other followers of Christ is not going to be much of a contest, or should it be, it has got to come not from a culture but from ones heart.

In Romans 13:7 it tells us to pay our taxes to whom they are due, and it does not give us an out like when the bum has wasted them you can quit paying taxes, if so, no one would pay taxes.  But do not stop there keep reading and you will see this command, “ . . . respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”

First and foremost to our Father in heaven who loves each of us so much He sent His Son, His only Son, to take on flesh and live among us.  And like wise to the Son, our Lord Jesus the Christ, who took our punishment and paid our debt in full.  But that is a given, most of us are somewhat better at that, than showing honor to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

So who should be singled out as special?  How about our parents, and as we treat them special we set an example that our children should give honor to us.  For by setting this example, we allow our Father to bless them when they give us honor by expressing the value, dignity, and esteem to us as parents and God promises to bless them. 

How about 1 Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” Each of us should be an encourager when it comes to our pastors, remember they have the duty of equipping us to do the work of the ministry, and it is a very hard job to sell us on what God has commanded, for most of us believe wrongly that it is the pastor’s job and not ours.

Any brother or sister in Christ that lives above reproach is to be given honor; turn to Proverbs 21:21, “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”  You may want to visit Romans 2:6-11, you will discover it is wise to give honor and for each who receive it to return it to the Father and the Son.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice