March 12
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another,” Romans 12:10.
As Christians, how should we think about others, and what kind of consideration does God want us to have toward one another? We should show brotherly love. As Christians, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We have one heavenly Father through faith in Christ Jesus.
If we are Christians, then we should remember our unity and oneness as children of the heavenly Father. In his Epistle to the Ephesians, the apostle writes about this: “I . . . beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all,” Ephesians 4:1-6.
We should have brotherly love for one another. This love will show itself in how we deal with others. Christian love is shown and demonstrated not only with the mouth, but it is demonstrated by our deeds. We do not think only of ourselves, but in honor we give preference to one another. Actually, this involves following what Jesus called the second great Commandment. The evangelist Matthew reports that, on one occasion, “One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,”’” Matthew 22:35-39.
In the text above, we are told to give preference to one another. We should give consideration to the needs of others, and this applies not only to Christians, but also to our neighbor. Who is my neighbor? It is not just the person living next door. Who is my neighbor? It can be summarized in the simple phrase, “the other person,” be he or she young or old, rich or poor, of any and every nationality!
True consideration and preference will show a concern about both the body and the soul of all others. As Christians, we should not be timid about confessing our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus, who loved us and sacrificed Himself on the cross to redeem us from sin, death, and the devil. Remember, Jesus is the only Savior for all people. It is commendable to give food to the hungry, but it is even better to give food for the soul. Do it today for those with whom you come into contact, at home, at work, at school, or wherever!
“Spread, oh, spread, thou mighty Word;
Spread the kingdom of the Lord
Wheresoever His breath has given
Life to beings meant for heaven.
Lord of Harvest, let there be
Joy and strength to work for Thee,
Till the nations far and near
See Thy light, and learn Thy fear.” Amen.
God bless you, as only He can do!