EXHORTATIONS (PART 4)

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10b

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Today is the fourth in an eleven message series based on a list of exhortations given by the Apostle Paul as he communicates with the people of Rome by letter.

Yesterday, we looked at a three part exhortation that gave us a blueprint to combat the problem of divisiveness that seems to plague our world today. We learned it begins with devoting love to one another first and then seeking harmony together through that love so that the combination of these two things love and harmony can lead us to a place of peace.

In today’s half verse from Romans 12, we find yet one more way to ensure we stay connected through caring for one another. Paul simply says this:

Honor one another above yourselves. v. 10b

This is the rendering from the NIV translation of the Bible. Looking at other translations of this same half verse, we find these interpretations:

“...take delight in honoring one another.” NLT

“...outdo one another in showing honor.” ESV, HCSB, and NRSV

“...honor others more than you do yourself.” CEV

“...be eager to show respect for one another.” GNT

“...give preference to one another in honor.” Amplified Bible

When we take all these renderings in sum, it leads us to one common encouragement:

Avoid self centeredness.

When I look at people today, it can be troubling how it seems everyone is just concerned about themselves. We seem to have become more of a “me and I” society than a “we and us”. This has also been a contributor to the lack of togetherness we see in our families, our communities, our nations, and our world. Everyone is looking out for number one and if this means taking out others to become even greater, then so be it.

This is how empires have operated over time. Go back to the Bible and you’ll find great powers that were centered on their own gain, willing to eliminate anyone who got in the way. The Egyptians, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans all had their time at the top.

None stayed there.

You see, God doesn’t favor self centeredness because this kind of attitude takes a person, a nation, and yes, an empire, away from a relationship with Him. There is no room for God in a place where a person or entity is fully devoted to themselves.

Given this, we see the way out of the problem of a selfish, egocentric life approach. It starts with turning one’s life attention and heart’s affection back toward the Lord.

You see, the Lord will take a self serving person and make them self sacrificing. And this and only this will bring us to a place where we intentionally seek to honor and respect others above ourselves with humility.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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