Romans 12:10

Romans 12:10 encourages us to "outdo one another in showing honor" (or as other translations put it, "outdo one another in showing love"). This means true love is not self-centered or self-serving. It is not about personal gain or recognition, but about leading with humility and generosity. This often means sacrificing our comfort, listening more than we speak, and encouraging others without expecting anything in return.
According to Jesus, love is not merely a feeling, but an active, willful choice to seek the well-being of others. He summarized it as an unwavering commitment to two things: wholehearted devotion to God (Mark 12:30) and selfless service to humanity, stating, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). When Jesus said "love one another" (John 13:34-35), he meant that his followers should love each other with the same sacrificial, unconditional, and active love that he demonstrated—putting the good of others above their own.

1 John 4:8 makes the profound claim that "God is love." It would be easy to read this passage and assume it simply means that He has love, but it actually states that He is love. There is a massive difference. God is not defined by love; rather, love is defined by God. After all, God the Creator brought love into existence.
Author Joyce Meyer writes, "Love is an essential attribute of God's character. It is not merely one of His many characteristics but is central to who He is." In the original Greek of the New Testament, the word used here is agape, which refers to a deliberate and self-sacrificial choice to care for others. When we look to God, love is defined by complete selflessness, truth, and sacrificial action (Ty Gibson, Light Bearers). God is the ultimate origin and definition of true love.
While Christians are called to love everyone, Scripture emphasizes that this specific kind of love for one another is the primary way the world will recognize His disciples (John 13:35). This action-oriented love involves serving, giving, and sacrificing personal goals to lift others up.

As Christians, we are called to be set apart and not conform to the ways of the world (Romans 12:2). Peter describes believers as chosen (1 Peter 2:9) and called out of darkness into the light, standing out from the rest of society. God sets us apart for specific purposes—to dedicate our time, talents, and resources for His special use. When we love God, we listen and follow. When we serve God, we serve others, showing tangible love and loyalty to our fellow believers.
Ultimately, Jesus demonstrated this definition of love through His own life, serving as the perfect model for how to love others with humility, patience, and unwavering grace. Jesus taught that to love Him is to keep His commandments and care for the vulnerable—the hungry, the stranger, and the oppressed (Matthew 25:40). He desired that His followers be marked by this exact, unconditional care for one another (John 15:13). It means loving in a way that is inherently sacrificial and selfless.

Romans 12:9-13 retrieved from The Message 9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; 11-13 practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. So as you think about living your spiritual faith, remember the words of our Savior, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:12-13)