Let us love one another part 2

Romans 12:9,10
We are to be devoted to one another and honour one another above ourselves. This is sincere love.

1. BE DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER
Being devoted to one another is to stand side-by-side one another, arm-in-arm, to fight each others' battles, carry each others' burdens and inspire each others' faith.

1 Samuel 13:22-14:14
This is devotion: "I am with you heart and soul."
Jonathan's armour-bearer could have made excuses not to come along with Jonathan - there were only two of them; Saul, the king and commander, had not given the order to fight or approval for such an action; the odds were against them; only one of them had a weapon. But he did not. He was devoted to Jonathan. He was devoted to Jonathan's faith (which Jonathan expresses in verses 6 and 13).

Like Jonathan, we all have faith and are wanting to do something great for God. We need to be devoted to each others' faith and goals. It is too easy to laugh and sniff at other people's goals and ambitions. We need, instead, to be supportive.

Q. Do you encourage others to dream big and aim high?
Q. Do you lend your support to those around you who have great godly goals, or do you sit back waiting for their anticipated downfall?

2. HONOUR ONE ANOTHER ABOVE YOURSELVES
To honour others above yourself is to serve and support them for their good with no consideration of benefit to yourself.

1 Samuel 18:1-9
Saul was jealous of David. Jonathan had every reason, if he wanted to, to feel the same way - he was next in line for the throne and so loss of the throne by Saul to David would mean Jonathan also losing his chance to be king; He'd been winning battles before David killed Goliath yet here no one was singing his name; he was royalty and David was a mere shepherd boy.

Instead, though, Jonathan loved David (vv. 2,3). Jonathan likely respected David as a man of faith and respected God's plan for giving different people different roles and victories all for the ultimate goal of God's glory.

Honouring one another means helping - or seeing - one another succeed without feeling jealous, competitive or insecure.

Q. Do you honour other disciples around you or do you feel envious at their success, when they do better than you academically, are more fruitful than you, advance in their careers beyond you, do better than you in any area whatsoever in which you desire to do great?

Jonathan never became king and yet was a happy, fulfilled man. Saul reigned as king and yet was insecure, unhappy, stressed and miserable, because he allowed jealousy and envy to consume him.

We sometimes feel that someone else's mediocrity excuses our own. If you know you can do better, than aim to grow. Don't accept low standards. Neither feel envious of those who are where you hope to get nor feel comfortable because of others who have not excelled.

John 15:13
The greatest love is not to be served, praised and to be seen to be a star, but to serve and give your life to others for their honour, joy and eternity.