Romans 12
Hi Cyber,
I always thought that it meant that we should be willing to honor others before ourselves...specifically brethren, but I think it may even go farther than that into other relationships (throughout the passage he seems to bounce back and forth between the church and all men.)...like bosses, non-believing friends, family, etc. We should be willing to hear them, not feel as if we can't possibly learn from them...even in our very different doctrines and lifestyles. Even unbelievers practice some principals of God, and are blessed by the consequence of doing that...we should always be gleaning for God's Truth at every turn and with every encounter. Basically we should have a heart to not seek to be right, or to be prideful in any thoughts or actions, but rather to have a lowly heart, like Christ, filled with compassion. And a spirit open to the leading of the Spirit, and a willingness to learn.
Even the drunkard that you refer to should be honored and esteemed, and what would that do to someone in that situation to be esteemed? Prepare them to hear the Gospel maybe? I can't remember the exact details about the man who deliberately lived in a homeless situation to learn more about it, but I understand that one of his observations was that people did not make eye contact with him...people won't even look at them. I think Christ would have reached out to such people, and esteemed them. The Good Samaritan comes to mind. Once outside a Christian coffee shop I ran into a homeless man, and I offered to buy him a coffee...he said, no. As I started to walk away, he said I would take any old Bibles you may have, though. I asked him what he did with them, and he said that he gives them to other people who are homeless. He told me that God has called him to live among them and share the Gospel. I thought it was an amazing ministry.
Two short stories. Once while I was visiting in New York with my dad we were down near the Grand Central when a man asked him for a few dollars. He was wearing layers of clothing, and it was quite cold that day. I was sixteen at the time. Anyway, my dad handed him a few dollars. While he was getting the money out, the man told my dad he looked like Burt Renyolds
...trying to flatter him maybe?...and engaged in a little small talk for a bit. Anyway, my dad told him it was kind of him to compliment him, that he had a few dollars to spare, wished him a wonderful night and told him it was nice chatting. When he left, I told my dad he was probably just saying those things to get money, and would end up spending it for a drink or something. My dad said that he had been low in his life before, and that a few dollars and a small chat go along way in that type of situation...anyone could wake up one day in a bad situation, and it could lead them way down, and so it's better to show kindness...it could be me, or you. He also told me that that drink might keep him warm. My dad was not a believer, and I was, and I was ashamed that I only looked at that man with thoughts of detest...not even seeing him as human really, and certainly not thinking that I...or my dad...could ever be like him. I suppose I didn't really keep it forefront that I stand only by the grace of God.
Second story. My younger brother once got in to a fight as a young child with few older boys at a park near his house. (we were separated at a young age) The police walked him home, and his mom was prepared to hear something awful. The policeman told her that they were patrolling near the park when he saw some older boys pestering a homeless man, and saw my brother trying to get them to stop. The police ended up ultimately taking the homeless man in. My brother was upset over this and began to cry, then he ran over to his things to get a susie Q to give to the man. It was the only thing he could think to do, and for a little guy it was a kind act...the tears, and the treat, were both offered on this man's behalf. The policeman told his mom that he was very impressed with his caring heart, and assured my brother that they were going to take him to a shelter and not jail. I think that is courage, and compassion, and honoring.
I hope you don't mind the stories, but I thought they could be examples of keeping our thoughts, and our actions, lowly. In doctrines, an in life situations, we have all fallen short and not one of us should seek self-esteem or honor for ourselves, but be aware that our steadiness, and righteousness, are because of Christ alone, and that we should be sacrificial in our mindset because of Him...for His sake. I hope this helps answer your question a bit. The Lord bless you.
