Love and Honor

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly 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 God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13 Most of us have learned how to pretend to love others - how to speak kindly, avoid hurting their feelings, and appear to take an interest in them. We may even be skilled in pretending to feel moved with compassion, when we hear of others' needs, or to become indignant when we learn of injustice. But God calls us to real and sincere love that goes far beyond pretense and politeness. Sincere love requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money, and personal involvement. No individual has the capacity to express love to a whole community, but the body of Christ does. Look for people who need your love, and look for ways you and your fellow believers can love your community for Christ. We can honor others in one of two ways. One involves ulterior motives. We honor our bosses so they will reward of us, our employees so they will work harder, the wealthy so they will contribute to our cause, the powerful so they will use their power for us and not against us. God's other way involves love. As Christians we honor people because they have been created in God's image, because they are our brothers and our sisters in Christ, and because they have a unique contribution to make to Christ's Church. Does God's way of honoring others sound too difficult for your competitive nature? Why not try to outdo one another in showing honor? But others first! God Bless you, J.H.