The title for this post came out of a prayer and concern I’ve had for God’s kids throughout the years. We so easily dishonor one another, when there is so much grace from God to highlight in each other’s lives. I’ll keep this post extra short, because I simply want to share this as a prayer topic for us as believers. Before I go on in brief, I want to state that this is not coming from any deep-seeded bitterness or any particular situation I am in or have been around. It’s simply coming from here and there throughout my life noticings as well as my own sins and weaknesses, being aware of how easily I have not honored my siblings in Christ and the lost with my thoughts, words, and actions.

Recently, a friend of mine pointed out how in the book of James, God’s Word makes a point of warning us about the tongue: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” Aren’t we all grateful for this challenge and encouragement toward kind and godly living? Here we go! “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:26-27).

So, are we outdoing one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10)? I spent the weekend with my Medefind brothers – some dear brother (four of them) who have become very dear friend. One thing I always notice about these friends is how good they are at doing two things: (1) Asking about me, and (2) Honoring me. The more I think about this, the more I’m dumbfounded at how they get away with this over and over again! Of their other close friends, Adam, has obviously started to catch on. This weekend one of the brothers pointed out to me how Adam was listening to another friend very attentively. We were celebrating the oldest of the four, Jedd’s, birthday by-the-way. Anyway, to wrap up, Adam was leaning into focused conversation with another friend, Danny, who was getting the Medefind brother treatment, only this time from Adam. Adam was asking follow-up question after follow-up question, and then appearing to encourage him/honor him.

What would it look like among men and women in our local churches, in our neighborhoods, in our social circles, and especially among any of us who are siblings in Christ, to really and truly outdo one another in showing honor, to love each other with sibling affection that is infectious to our friends.

I hope to grow in this area, and I’m deeply grateful for the Medefind brothers for teaching me about what this passage in Romans 12 really looks like. Another two huge places I’m experiencing this in practice: My marriage… SO grateful for Carrie’s example to me of this…, and my men’s Bible study every Friday – Thank you, brothers!

With joy in our Savior,

– Torrey