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 Scripture Reading : Romans 12:10

             Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.

This is one of seven verses in the New Testament containing the expression "one another" twice. The first here is, "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love." This exhortation to brotherly love is often found in the New Testament. "Let brotherly love continue" (Heb. 13:1). "Love the brotherhood" (1 Pet. 2:17). "Love as brothers" (1 Pet. 3:8). "Brotherly love" in the original is “ philadelphia .” This is the name given to Pennsylvania 's principal city by William Penn.

Our love should exceed the world’s

Before Christ came into the world, men were utterly selfish. Now, directly or indirectly as a result of Christianity, many humanitarian agencies are found in the world. Now even some who know not Christ show kindness and consideration for others. Knowing these things should stir Christians to love one another more and more. Our love should be as tender and sincere as that of nearest kinship, even more so. A better blood binds us together—the blood of Christ.

Bad examples

In 1 John 3:12, Cain is cited as an example of one who hated his brother, rather than loving him. He slew his brother. John says that he was of that wicked one and his works were evil. In 1 John 3:15 we read, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer," and in 1 John 2:9, "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now." In the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), Joseph was a victim of brethren who did not love him. This is in contrast to what we as Christians ought to be. Certainly we are not of that wicked one, and we do not want it said of us that our works are evil.

Abraham and Lot

There was a sign on the wall of an old theater: "Please let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee—for we be brethren" (Gen. 13:8; KJV). This is taken from the story of Abraham and Lot . They dwelt together but both had many cattle and they were finding it difficult to find enough pasture for all. This caused the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot to quarrel, and gave rise to the above statement by Abraham. The reason Abraham gives for not quarreling is that they were brethren. This should be sufficient reason for cessation of all quarrelling among Christians—"We be brethren."

No striving

Think about it—a verse about brotherly love hanging on the wall of a public theater. It should bring forth a feeling of sorry, when realizing that a theater is priding itself on brotherly love, when sometimes Christians, brothers in Christ, fall short of this ideal set forth by our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Strife has been a curse to the cause of Christ down through the years. "0, Lord, keep me from ever again striving with any of Your people." Instruct them? Exhort them? Yes. But striving with them? Never.

In honor giving preference to one another

The last part of the verse we are considering says, "In honor giving preference to one another" (Rom. 12:10). It is our nature to prefer self above others. It is Christ-like and Scriptural to prefer others above self. It is not easy; self always says, "Give me the best place; give me the highest honor; give me the most wealth; give me the attention; give me the greatest pleasure." This must be suppressed in Christians. We must learn to say, "Give others the preference."

Christ lived for others

Christ's life was always for others, never for Himself. He was always giving, always blessing. It was a sacrifice for Him to come into this world; to leave heaven's glory, where angels worshipped and served Him; to leave His Father's side, where love reigned supreme. It was for His Father and for us that He came. The world was not ready to receive Him. There was no room for Him in the Inn . The world was never kind to Him, but He was kind to the world. He never thought of His own comfort, but He comforted those in distress. He fed the poor, healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, raised the dead. He always gave preference to others above Himself.

Christ and His cross

Of course, the greatest example of Christ giving preference to others before Himself was the cross. Was He merely a martyr led to the cross by wicked men? Certainly not; they could not have led Him there without His willingness to go. He was a willing sacrifice—willingly dying for us there. It was not pleasant for Him to go to that cruel cross, but out of love for His Father and for us, so that we might be redeemed, He was willing to go.

Not me, but you

For many years, two Christian men were pastors, i.e., shepherds or elders, of a local congregation of the body of Christ¹. The congregation grew and prospered in every way. Then, one of the two received a letter congratulating him that for these many years he and the other brother, as well as all the other pastors, had never quarreled. He wrote back and said, "Dear brother, you are mistaken; we have quarreled many times." A second letter was received, expressing regrets. The pastor again responded: "We have quarreled many times as to who should have the first place in the congregation. Some always seem to insist that I have it, and I am always insisting that another have it." Needless to say, these quarrels never proved too serious. This is exactly what is meant by, "In honor giving preference to one another."

Not you, but me

Several years ago, a visiting preacher was scheduled to teach the Gospel in a tent for a few days in a small farming town. The local preacher was in the audience each night. Each night the visiting preacher took charge of the whole service, leading the songs, leading the prayers, and doing all the speaking. After a few nights, the local preacher said, "You can call on me to help." The answer was abrupt, "Why? I was preaching long before you were born." Sometimes we forget that Romans 12:10 is in the Bible.

Barnabas and Paul

We need to seriously consider the spirit of Barnabas. By direction of the apostles he went from Jerusalem to Antioch to view the work there. Almost immediately, he became the leading man in the work and it prospered and grew immensely. He might have said, "This is a great work here in Antioch , and I am in a wonderful position here. I intend to keep my hand on it and henceforth this shall be my work." Instead of himself first, he thought of the good of the work. He realize that it would be a good thing to seek the help of Saul (later called Paul). In not too long a time, Paul passed him in position and ability, but there in no indication that there was the least bit of jealousy about it. Would we act like Barnabas did in a similar case? Are we willing to give the best among us the place of preaching, teaching, leading the singing, or whatever else they may be able to do? How marvelous to belong to a company of Christians where this etiquette is practiced.

Abraham and Lot again

We have already referred to Abraham and Lot in connection with the first part of this verse. We saw how Abraham says there should be no strife between them because they were brethren. Because of their large herds of cattle it became apparent that they could not stay together. Abraham gives Lot his choice of the land. He says, "Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left" (Gen. 13:9). The Lord had promised the land to Abraham, not to Lot, but Lot is given the choice. Abraham was the much older man, and had taken Lot with him from Ur of the Chaldees, and on these grounds he might have demanded the priority, but he does not. As we follow the history of these two men we see how the Lord prospered Abraham, but Lot eventually suffered the loss of all earthly possessions.

Treat all alike

Let each of us seek to carry this out in connection with all Christians. Some treat those in high places with great regard, and are careful to say "yes" to the right people at the right time, so that they may rise in religious circles. At the same time they may act disrespectfully or even ruthlessly toward those in a lower station. This must be nauseating to God, and men note it, too, and such are held in contempt by other Christians. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better then himself" (Phil. 2:3). If all of God's people would truly seek to carry out this exhortation, quarreling among us would be unknown, the work of God would prosper, the Lord would be honored, and Christians much happier.

Footnote:

¹ For more information on the body of Christ, see God’s Church in A Religion Library section of StudyJesus.com.