Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:10 KJV
Context and Charge:
As always, it is very important to sort out the audience that today's extract is addressed to. The church in Rome had the whole mix: Jews, Gentiles, and all sorts of people from all walks of life: the rich, the poor, the connected and influential, as well as the curiously religious. However, Paul made it clear who his audience was: beloved of God, called to be saints. No matter where you are coming from or what your experiences may have been, this is the foundation of a life of impact.
It is the foundation I must sort out, before I can comply with the requirements of the verse above. How can I be kindly affectioned to another, unless I have first embraced the affection that Jesus showed me when he died in the cross for me? How can I obey a God I have not fully submitted to? How can I even be expected to show off a nature that is alien to my natural inclination? Until Jesus rules and reigns in my life, I cannot be expected to love the way Jesus loves, or treat others the way God wants them to be treated.
Conviction and Conclusion:
The natural man has natural tendencies. The natural man has things it is comfortable with, and does not have to stress itself to do. Honouring other people above yourself is not one of those things that come naturally to the natural man. The natural man puts himself first, sees himself as the best gift to mankind, bordering on pride and arrogance. Pride was the bane of Lucifer too, who was sent out of heaven because he thought he was better than everyone else, even God. Of course, God had no room for him, or for pride too.
As it was then, so is it now. Those who know who they belong to have no problem showing off the nature of the one they represent. Love is God's nature, and is also part of the fruit of the Spirit. Humility is a sign of brokenness and surrender, and is proof that God lives in the heart of the one who sees himself as God sees him. Representing Christ means speaking, listening, relating and seeing as He would. Is Christ that obvious in and through me? Can men be glad that I came into their lives? God's time of favour is here.
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