November 11 – Brotherly Devotion (Romans 12:9-13)

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”(Romans 12:10)

IN WORD:
Paul exhorted the believers in Philippi: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). There had been infighting, and Paul provides the antidote. True Christian humility will cause us to subvert our own interests for the well-being of others. It isn’t natural, but it’s Christlike. Sacrifice is the way of the Cross.
Didn’t Jesus tell His disciples that those who would followHim must take up their cross (Luke 9:23)? Not only is cross-bearing an initial act of sacrifice; it is to be a daily event. Those who cannot suffer for the sins of others, those who cannot inconvenience themselves for another’s needs, those who will not lay down their life for their friends have little in common with Jesus. Our agendas are more often than not a matter of self. Jesus’ agenda is always about someone else.
Years ago on a Judea hill, Jesus’ agenda was about us. Had that not been the case, we would not be alive today, at least not spiritually. We cannot call Him our example and our Lord if we do not follow His path. The Christian heart is to be filled with compassion — devotion toward brothers and sisters in Christ and a desire to see others honored. It is the way of the Kingdom, and the world is watching to see if the Kingdom is worthwhile.

IN DEED:
We must show them a different way. The world has lost hope for a utopian fellowship, and while Christians are not perfect in this life, we can be perfected in love by the Spirit of God. It is our holy calling. We are forever bound in Christ with all other believers around the world. Our relationship with them will never be severed.
How devoted are you to the well-being of others? Do you blow wind in the sails of your brothers and sisters in Christ? Or are you always seeking your own advancement? We cannot simply be happy with their honors; we must seek to build them up. That’s what Jesus did, and we are in Him. The devoted God calls us into devoted relationships.

“The measure of a man is not how many servants ha has but how many men he serves.” -D. L. Moody-