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Devoted to One Another
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love: give preference to one another in honor,” Romans 12:10
Our effort to become more devoted Christians would not be complete without devotion to one another. Under the new covenant established in Christ’s blood, Jesus built His church for Christians to belong to. God’s word commands us to “be devoted to one another” in Romans 12:10, so this is not optional. However, it also should not be viewed as a burden (I John 5:3)! What a blessing to belong to the family of God! Let’s review our lessons from earlier in the year that explain what it looks like to be devoted to one another.
Love One Another
Brotherly love goes beyond emotional feelings and requires active, sacrificial commitment. Beyond our basic physical needs, the Bible also compels us to recognize and address the spiritual and emotional needs of our Christian family, (Galatians 6:1-3). Healthy relationships are required in order to know the needs of our church family, though. Jesus's example in John 13 illustrates how love for one another needs to transcend our expectations and feelings. Despite knowing Judas would betray Him, Jesus actively demonstrated love by washing his feet anyways. Stephanas’ example in 1 Corinthians 16 challenges us to be addicted to serving and loving one another. True love is not to be occasional but a continuous, committed action that requires stronger relationships within the body of Christ.
Give Preferene to One Another
In Romans 12:10, the command to "be devoted to one another in brotherly love: give preference to one another in honor," carries profound significance. The second half of the verse challenges believers to put love into action. The Greek word for honor, "timé," is about valuing and recognizing the worth of a person bestowed on them by God. The command to "give preference" urges believers to outdo themselves in showing honor. This involves actively leading the way in demonstrating love. It necessitates a heart ready to serve and, more importantly, requires intentional action. The surrounding context in Romans 12:9-18 further emphasizes the practical aspects of loving others, from sharing with those in need to pursuing peace.
To "give preference" involves interaction, as seen in verses 13 and 15, emphasizing the importance of knowing and supporting one another. Giving preference demands sacrifice, either of time, personal preferences, feelings, and more. The challenge lies in prioritizing your eternal spiritual family over temporary earthly connections. Jesus, while on the cross, demonstrates this when He entrusted His mother to John (a faithful believer) instead of His earthly, non-believing brothers.
Pray for One Another
Devotion to one another must translate to actively praying on one another’s behalf. While it's true that you can offer general prayers for anyone, the depth and specificity of your prayers increase when you have established relationships. Better connections enable more informed and fervent prayers. James 5:16 says very plainly, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
James' instructions provide a simple yet powerful guide for Christians. Admitting a personal struggle or sin to fellow believers facilitates a deeper level of support. Implementing this practice requires active resistance against the isolating tendencies of modern culture. Jesus' encouragement in Matthew 7:7-11 reinforces the importance of prayer, inviting believers to trust in God's capability to do more than they can ask or imagine.
Devotion requires action. The health of a local church is dependent upon the unity and devotion to one another shared within the fellowship. Relationships are a two-way street. I need you and you need me (I Corinthians 12:21). God expects us to depend on one another (I Corinthians 12:12-27). If we are going to be as devoted to God as He wants us to be, then we need to “be devoted to one another.”
