Do you like competing in contests? What kinds of contests do you like? What kinds are you good at? Are you better at physical or sporting contests? Are you better at educational or memory contests? Have you thought about competing to be more like Jesus?
We like to compete. There are hotdog eating contests, spelling bees, and marching band contests. We watch contests such as the Olympics, the Stanley Cup, the World Series, and the Super Bowl. Competition is all around us and we actively participate in it.
We compete in our jobs and in our families. We strive to get a promotion. We seek the attention of others. We work hard to outdo someone else to be recognized for our accomplishments. Competition is as natural as breathing. It is not bad in and of itself. But it can become bad if we are competing with the wrong attitude and for the wrong reasons.
The Apostle Paul encourages the church in Rome to compete. Not for trophies, but to show the love of God. He encourages us to outdo one another in showing honor. Imagine how our churches might look if we were to compete in showing honor to one another. They would be attractive to everyone who stepped in them.
How do we compete in showing honor? First, we must love one another as Christ loves us. Rather than nitpicking every little thing someone does that is different than what we would do, we appreciate them being different. Rather than arguing, we calmly debate and agree to disagree without making derogatory comments. We praise God and lift one another up for the work God is accomplishing through them. Honoring one another is a competition we should all compete in.
I pray we all seek to honor God. I pray we make every effort to love one another as Christ loves us. I pray each one of us compete to honor one another as the family of God. Honor one another. Celebrate diversity. Debate calmly. Praise one another. Seek to honor God in all things.
Romans 12:9-10 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Marty Pressey 