Unconditional love is a life of prayer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, Life Together, is equal parts inspiration and challenge. Here’s a quote from it with a thought or two it provoked in me.
“But not only my neighbour’s will, but also his honour is more important than mine. ‘How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?’ (John 5.44). The desire for one’s own honour hinders faith. One who seeks his own honour is no longer seeking God and his neighbour.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, location 1023.
Bonhoeffer’s words expose how easily the desire to be noticed, praised, or preferred slips into our life together. Once personal honour becomes the goal, faith is distorted, and our neighbour becomes a rival rather than a brother or sister to bless.
True Christian fellowship is not only about meeting needs but also about honouring our brothers and sisters. How does this work? One approach is to discover what meaningful honouring means to a fellow Christian and seek to amplify it for them.
This is the essence of the instructions Paul gave the church at Philippi:
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4 NRSV)
So, what might it look like to honour fellow believers in your congregation? It could be listening attentively to someone who is often overlooked, publicly giving thanks for a hidden act of service, or making space for another person’s gifts to flourish. Think of one specific person you know. How could you honour them this week—or even today?
I’d love to hear your ideas.
Your brother, Malcolm
