“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10, ESV) This is a command (one of many) to love – the gist of this command is:
- Be devoted to one another – the same way you would be devoted to a family member – just because they are in your family you stick with them and treat them with love, sacrificing yourself in loving them (putting their needs ahead of your own)
- Our devotion is to be with the affection one has for a brother – loving the other as you want to be loved, giving the attention and concern that you would want shown to you in the same circumstances
- We are giving the other person honor – treating them as better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3). Set aside the honor we think we might deserve in order to show honor to the other person
- A true Christian is marked – ‘branded’ with such love. Do you bear these marks? If so, seek the help of Christ in growing in your love. If not, seek the help of the Lord Jesus Christ in developing this brotherly love and affection for others. Amen.