Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Holiness is not only connected to our relationship with God; it is also revealed in how we relate to people. We cannot claim to love God while continually treating people without love, dignity, or honor. Paul gives us two beautiful pictures of holy relationships: devotion and honor.
To be devoted to one another means we do not treat people as useful only when they meet our needs or suitable to us. We care, stay, forgive, encourage, and remain present equally with everyone. Christian relationships are not built merely on convenience or what we receive from one another, but on the love we have received from Christ.
Then Paul says, “Honor one another above yourselves.” Honor means recognizing another person's God-given value. It means listening instead of always needing to be heard, appreciating instead of criticizing, giving credit instead of seeking recognition, and considering another person's needs instead of always asking, “What about me?” Holy relationships do not mean perfect relationships. They mean Christ is allowed to shape the way we treat imperfect people.
Sometimes holiness is seen most clearly not in how we behave when everything is peaceful, but in how we respond when we are misunderstood, disappointed, or hurt. Jesus changes not only how we walk with God, but also how we walk with people.
Reflection:
Do the people around me experience Christ's love, honor, and kindness through the way I relate to them?
Application:
Choose one person today and intentionally show them honor by listening to them, appreciating them, encouraging them, or serving them without expecting anything in return. Let the love you have received from Christ become the love others experience through you.