As Christians, we don’t engage with others or invite them into our churches and homes just because we enjoy each other’s company.

In fact, we often engage with difficult people in messy situations simply because this is how we show love to other people—by walking with them even when it’s inconvenient. Loving others well means we attach value to them. Valuing someone includes doing all you can to care for them, preserve them and their family, and, when necessary, use your voice to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8–9).

Thoughtful Questions

1. Have you ever reached out in love to someone who had a background that your family, friends, or community might find controversial or objectionable?
2. What does it mean to “outdo one another in showing honor”?
3. Sometimes we have unspoken preferences, judgments, and benchmarks people must meet before we love or honor them. But loving and honoring others is part of our Christian witness. Is there anyone you can think of (based on who they are or what they’ve done) who might be excluded from Paul’s message here in Romans chapter 12?