Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10 NIV
Honour
From time to time, members of the Canadian Armed Forces are offered an award or honour by a Commonwealth or Foreign power. In that case, the dual recognition principle applies. If Canada has provided recognition for a service (for example, the Gulf and Kuwait Medal), it will not authorize the issue of a foreign medal for the same service. This is why, for example, the South-Korean Syngman Rhee War Service Medal, the Saudi Arabian Liberation of Kuwait Medal and the NATO medal for the International Security and Assistance Force are not approved for wear.
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The Kingdom of Heaven is so very different from the kingdoms of our world, in just about every way. The prime directive for God’s eternal kingdom is to love God with our entire being – heart, mind, soul and body – and to love others above ourselves. The world teaches self-love and self-promotion. The kingdom of God teaches Jesus-love and other-focus. In a day when so many people, including some who claim to be followers of Jesus, are shouting loudly for their own rights, the teaching of Paul the apostle in Romans 12:10 is clear: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.” Jesus never stood up for his own rights – not even when he was wrongly accused and suffered unjustly. He loved even those who opposed and persecuted Him, laying down His life for them. We who are followers of Jesus are called to be like Him in this. Daily, we need to ask ourselves how we can honour even our enemies above ourselves. This is not the thinking of the world. But it is the thinking of the kingdom of God and it must be our thinking as well.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley