Living Out God’s Call to Honor Others
Romans 12:10 (NIV) says:
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Love is more than a feeling—it is a command from God and a reflection of His very nature. In Romans 12:10, Paul urges believers to be devoted to one another in love and to honor one another above themselves. This isn’t just a call to be kind when it’s convenient or to love when it’s easy. It’s a directive to live with intentional humility, grace, and respect for others, even in challenging moments.
Loving others is one of the most powerful ways we reflect Christ in the world. It’s how we turn the intangible into the tangible—when love is put into action, it becomes a witness. Let’s explore four key scriptural truths that bring this principle to life:
1. Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
This is one of the greatest commandments given by Jesus. In Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV), Jesus says:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... and the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
God places loving others right next to loving Him. Why? Because when we honor others and treat them with dignity, we reflect God’s heart. This love requires empathy, compassion, and forgiveness—even when it's not reciprocated. It challenges us to rise above pettiness and pride and to remember that everyone is made in the image of God.
2. Pray for Those Who Hurt You
Jesus takes this love commandment even further in Matthew 5:44 (NIV):
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
This isn’t a suggestion—it’s a divine strategy. When we pray for those who have hurt or misused us, we aren’t excusing their behavior; we’re choosing to let God be the Judge and Healer. Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 12:20 (NIV):
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Choosing love in the face of pain releases you from the burden of bitterness and aligns your heart with the grace of Christ.
3. Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law
Paul reminds us in Romans 13:10 (NIV):
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
When we love others—especially when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or unreciprocated—we are fulfilling the very heart of God’s instruction for humanity. Love brings peace. It builds bridges. It covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Love is never wasted.
4. Love Is a Choice That Requires Action
1 John 3:18 (NIV) urges:
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
True love is sacrificial. It shows up. It forgives. It serves. Loving others—especially when they’ve disappointed us—is not passive. It is the intentional, ongoing work of a heart submitted to God. This kind of love transforms families, friendships, churches, and communities.
Three Practical Ways to Seek the Will of God Daily Through Love
Start Your Day Asking God to Show You Who to Love
In your morning prayer time, ask the Holy Spirit to highlight someone who needs encouragement, kindness, or reconciliation. Be specific and obedient—send the text, make the call, or offer the help.Practice Active Forgiveness
If someone has hurt you, take intentional steps to forgive. Write a letter you don’t send, speak their name in prayer, and release them to God. Let healing begin by choosing love over resentment.Serve Someone Beyond Your Circle
Go out of your way to bless someone who cannot return the favor. Volunteer your time, help a neighbor, or anonymously bless someone in need. When we love others without expectation, we reflect the heart of Christ.
Love is powerful. It heals. It unites. It declares to the world that God is alive and working through His people. Let Romans 12:10 be your compass: be devoted in love, and honor others above yourself. As you do, you’ll experience a deeper relationship with God and become a beacon of light in a world longing for true connection.