Friday, 10 July 2026

Romans part 184 - Life in the Body 9

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Romans 12:10 Be tenderly devoted to one another in brotherly love; outdo one another in giving honor.

Can you hear God saying, "That whole "brotherly love" thing, I really meant it!?" Both John and Peter thought God meant it, and emphasized it.

1 John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar. For the one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, tenderhearted, humble-minded.

Yeshua's prayer from the garden, on the night He was betrayed, is His cry to the Father that we would love each other like the Father, Son and Holy Spirit enjoy perfect love.

John 17:21 That they all may be one. Just as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, so also may they be one in Us, so the world may believe that You sent Me.

Connected to the "brotherly love" in our subject verse is "giving honor." Peter made the same connection. 1 Peter 2:1 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. At the risk of being self-serving, I want to add Paul's admonition to Timothy. 1 Timothy 5:17 The elders who lead well are worthy of honor and honorarium - especially those who work hard in the word and teaching.

Let me add one thought as we bring this to a close for today. We should always show honor to everyone at all times. It is our expression of respect for God's creation. I'm not saying I do it, just that I want to. Here are two verses to prove I'm not making this up. 1 Peter 3:9-10 Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult, but give a blessing instead - it is for this reason you were called, so that you might inherit a blessing. For, "The one who loves life, wanting to see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit."

More on this next time ... Shalom Shalom.