Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:10-11
(My) Greek direct translation – Those in brotherly love to one another esteeming in honor one another. Being in diligence and not lagging but in spirit being fervent serving the Lord.
How we treat our spiritual family is very important. We must model honor in how we treat others to encourage others to follow our example. Honor seems to be a lost value in this culture where lying, evil, and disrespect is so prevalent. What is honor? Definition: High respect, as that shown for special merit; recognition or esteem. God uses this concept in the 10 commandments.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12
Here the Hebrew word is כַּבֵּ֥ד אֶת־ אָבִ֖יךָ kabad meaning make honorable, honor, glorify. Another part of the meaning of the Hebrew word kabad is …heavy or weighty. There is a seriousness about the word and feeling, obviously denoting something we should not take lightly. So we should ‘honor’ one another. Treat them with deference. How do you treat the ‘family’ of God? Is it with honor?
Do we serve the Lord with fervency? How much zeal, excitement, diligence, and immediacy do you have to listening for the Voice of the Holy Spirit? Is your focus lagging or slow when it comes to seeking Him out in situations and decisions? Are you working on your character being interestedly and perseveringly attentive; steady and earnest in application towards the instructions the Holy Spirit has given you? Are your efforts painstakingly persevering towards your obedience to God in serving Him? There also is a seriousness in this verse – that shows how much a true Christian is in pursuit of serving Jesus … moment by moment. This is NOT a lukewarm effort. This is WAY beyond a ‘pew sitting’ Sunday morning religious ritual.
These two verses have a seriousness about them — that is far beyond just ‘cruising’ through life and religious service doing whatever we want. It is a person who is determined to be in God’s ‘company’. This is a person who takes their commitment to God seriously, daily, in every situation, encounter, and relationship.
What does this type of focus take to accomplish? Discipline. To maintain a fervency at this high of a level takes actual life experience that now KNOWS how important this relationship with God really is .. and what it means on an eternal scale. How does one have these types of life experiences with God? These people pursue Him with ALL their heart, soul, and mind 24/7. How do we gain discipline? But painstaking constancy and consistency. Being able to place your spirit in control over your soul and fleshly desires and nagging. By making your ‘will’ be your driving force that is in agreement with what the Holy Spirit is teaching and saying you.
These things must be engaged now … today …if you are to move forward in growth into spiritual maturity. Because things will only get harder and more difficult as time passes in this world. So learn these today. Ask Him what to do next. Listen to Him well.