The 12th chapter of Paul's epistle (letter) to the Roman church includes a passage on how to behave as a Christian, in other words, how to be "Christlike" which should be the goal of every believer. In previous posts we have looked at the two exhortations in verse 9:
1. Love must be sincere, and
2. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.
Now we move to the third behavior Paul says should be lived out in our lives. Romans 12:10 says, Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Most people would go along, at least somewhat, with the first part of this verse. Brotherly love sounds pretty appealing and people generally would like to get along with everyone. The city of Philadelphia even calls itself the City of Brotherly Love (the Greek word philio means "love" in a brotherly sort of way). Now, just how "devoted" to brotherly love people truly are is another question. And when you add the second part of the verse to it a vast majority of folks would either look at you with a blank stare, or perhaps respond with a giggle or a snort . . . "Yea, sure. I'll put you and your needs ahead of my own."
Christianity, if anything, is truly a radical approach to living, because we are called out to live our lives in the way Jesus modeled for us. Think about it! Jesus never worried with owning property or accumulating wealth. It wasn't a priority to make a comfortable living for Himself. He wouldn't bother with eating or resting when someone came to Him with a real need. He washed the feet of His followers like a slave would have done his master. He sacrificed His life so that others could know abundant and eternal life. Jesus came to serve, not to be served! And so the Apostle Paul teaches the church to devotedly love one another -- to extend grace to one another as Christ has extended it to us, and to honor one another above ourselves -- to be more concerned with bringing recognition and praise to our brother or sister than that which we receive.
Can you imagine what our world would be like if people fulfilled this exhortation . . . if even just the Church would do it? If we sought the best for our fellow man, and stopped worrying with who gets credit for the good that is done, the world would be a much better place! Washington D.C. would certainly be different! But it will never happen until we become obedient to the Lord. What most people misunderstand about Christianity is that when we are commanded by God's Word to "give something up" it simply opens the door to bountiful blessings! God will not bless disobedience, but He will pour out an abundance on those who live out their faith in obedience. In this case God is telling us that giving up the desire to rise above our neighbor will actually raise us all to a new level.
Allow me to let you in on something I have been learning over time . . . the more I choose to live as a servant the sweeter life becomes. A person with a true servant's heart doesn't worry about what he doesn't have, and as a result he is never dissatisfied or feels unappreciated. He simply lives each day with gratitude toward a gracious Lord and is thankful for one more chance to serve.
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