Romans 12:10
Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
As Paul describes love in this verse, it is a form of devotion to one's siblings. It is essential that we love each other with brotherly affection. Secondly, Paul urges us to compete. We are instructed to show honor to one another by outdoing each other in this regard. In the body of Christ, if each of us acted on this principle, we would always feel deeply honored by others and never feel satisfied that we honor each other adequately. This weighty epistle by Paul to his beloved brothers and sisters in Rome emphasizes the great salvation we have achieved, our position as already justified, how we are being sanctified, and our assured future as glorified and made as glorious as Christ's body one day. Paul concludes his remarkable treatise on salvation by explaining how to live the Christian life in a manner pleasing to God. A life such as this can be found within us through the Holy Spirit and expressed through our new life in Christ, but only those who choose God-dependency over self-dependency will be able to benefit from it. Love one another with brotherly affection and strive to outdo each other in showing honor and grace to all.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John 3:1
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1 Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1 John 2:5
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.