Giving Preference To One Another

-May 24, 2022-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”

(Romans 12:10).

Romans chapter 12 is one of the most practical chapters in the whole Bible. It gives so much instruction on how we should live as Christians in this world. Today’s verse delves into how we should give preference to others. The word preference is defined as “a greater liking for one alternative over another or others.” Putting the needs, desires, and preferences of others before our own is how we show them honor and love.

Paul in writing to the Philippians said, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). It may sound simple, but try putting it into practice daily, it is extremely challenging. This is exactly what the Lord Jesus taught us to do. This is where we get the acronym J-O-Y (Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.

Giving preference to the needs, desires, and preferences of others is like the oil that lubricates our relationships with others. Husbands should give preference to their wives, and wives to their husbands; parents should give preference to their children, and children to their parents; employees should give preference to their bosses, and bosses to their employees; and all of us should preference to one another. It also means we should listen to the ideas and suggestions of others. The best teachers, coaches, and leaders illicit input from those under them. The best ideas are still the best ideas whether they come from us or others.

Can you imagine if every believer obeyed and applied this verse in genuine love all of the time? It is like coming to a four-way stop where each one must yield and take his or her turn. They recently put one in at a nearby Costco where they put in a Costco gas station right across the street from the store. Most people have managed it very well, but there is always the few that are very aggressive. It seems to me that we learned this lesson back in kindergarten or even preschool. It is a choice to give others the first choice. As Christians, we should be examples of this to others.

May we give preference to others in brotherly love and honor. It comes down to treating others as we wish to be treated. Jesus told us in Matthew 7:12, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” The hymn writer wrote, “Yes, others, Lord, yes, others, let this my motto be; Help me to live for others, help me to live for others, that I might live for Thee, that I might live for Thee.”

Have a blessed day giving preference to others in love and honor. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace and mercy,

Dean