DEVOTION & HONOR FOR ONE ANOTHER

The New Testament outlines over thirty responsibilities for the Church of Jesus Christ, each associated with the phrase "one another." Notably, four chapters in Romans (12-15) highlight eight of these responsibilities, which collectively represent a quarter of the total. These responsibilities serve to express God's love and maintain unity within the body of Christ.

These eight responsibilities are founded on the principle articulated in Romans 12:5: “So, we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” The local church is a body of interconnected and interdependent believers, whose objective is to support one another in cultivating Christlikeness and glorifying God.

This month’s blog will emphasize the initial two responsibilities that believers have toward one another: "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor” (Romans 12:10).

The first statement of verse ten, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love” refers to the devotion and love typically found within a family, such as the mutual care and unbreakable commitment between parents and children.  God’s original design for the family reflects this fact.  (Sin ruins God’s design.) 

The Bible describes the local church and the body of Christ as a family. Believers in Jesus are God's children, with God as their Father and fellow believers as brothers and sisters in Christ.  God binds believers together by salvation; believers are responsible for maintaining unity through loving one another.

The second statement of verse ten, "give preference to one another in honor," outlines the approach to demonstrating love towards one other, which is essential for maintaining unity. Every believer within a local church is expected to equally esteem and value one another, as well as to be considerate of each other.

The book of Romans outlines the situation present in the local church at Rome and presents Paul's rationale for instructing believers to show devotion and preferential treatment toward one another. 

Paul was addressing the strife that existed between Gentile and Jewish believers in the church at Rome.  Gentile believers in the church were mirroring Roman culture and the attitude of the majority of Gentiles—they hated and despised the Jewish people, their enemy.  Eight years before Paul wrote the letter to the Roman church, Emperor Claudius decreed (49 AD) that all Jews were to leave Rome because they were considered a threat to Himself and the Roman Empire.  After his death in 54 AD, Jews began trickling back into Rome.  Jewish believers such as Priscilla and Aquilla returned to Rome and the church they had to leave (Acts 18:2; Romans 16:3).

Paul's theological discourse on salvation in chapters 1-8 which included Jews and God's future plan for Israel in chapters 9-11 are followed by an imperative in Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...". Paul's aspiration for the church was unity, love, and mutual respect.

The church consists of a diverse group of sinners from various cultures, ethnicities, and social backgrounds.  These differences can result in animosity toward one another, conflict, and division.  It ruins God’s intent for the church.  The church must not hold to the values of the world.  It must remain committed to one another by thinking Biblically and equally honoring, esteeming, and loving one another.