Honoring Others above Ourselves
The self-righteous tendencies of fallen nature can lure us into thinking that somehow we are better than others, but a careful look at the Scripture clearly lets us know otherwise!
James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”
Rom 3:9-18 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follow them. They don’t know where to find peace.” “They have no fear of God at all.”
According to this Scripture, all of us are guilty before God! We are all on the same level and cannot redeem ourselves! Because of his great love for us, God surrendered his only Son to a cruel cross to become the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29. Therefore, we all come to God the same way because there is none righteous, not even one!
Apostle John said, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his word is not in us. 1John 1:8-10.
Looking down on someone else is not a good idea! None of us have even a single strand of hope outside of the blood of Jesus! As one who considered himself the worst of sinners, Apostle Paul said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3.
We should always be working towards empowering and encouraging each other – not tearing down! The Bible says, “By this, shall all men know that you are my disciples by your love for one another.” John 13:35. The world can see that we are the disciples of Christ when we love each other. So what does that look like?
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
When we choose to encourage each other instead of tearing each other down, the love of God is made known in this world! The Scripture makes it clear that it would be the wisdom of heaven to never look down on others but rather, in humility, love, and compassion, gently restore the one who has been caught in a sin. Gal 6:1.
My dearest friend, we have the opportunity to display to the world the truth about who God really is by loving each other deeply from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22. Yes, according to what we’ve learned today, one of the ways God has given us to change the world is to display who he is by…
Honoring Others above Ourselves