Outdo One Another In Showing Honor

Using the spiritual gifts that God gives to us is not the only thing that is important as a Christian. Modern Pentecostalism, or Charismatic movement, often times teaches that the most important aspect of Christianity is exercising the use of our spiritual gifts. To understand what I mean one only needs to think of the church groups that teach evidence based doctrine of the baptism of the Spirit. They say that speaking in tongues has to be done, or the modern faith healers teach that the gifts of healing are present in their ministry (even if it is often times fake), and so their ministry is valid. The question is what does the Bible have to say on the subject? Does the Bible say that using the Spiritual gifts is the most important thing a Christian does? I would like to assert that the Bible does not say that. The Bible does say that we should use our Spiritual gifts to build up the church, each one using the gifts God has given them as they have the faith, but it says that other things are more important than that. Take this passage of scripture in Romans for example.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21

You see this passage of scripture is actually the continuation of where the apostle Paul tells us to use our Spiritual gifts. But then it is as if to say that more importantly we need to let our love be genuine, abhorring what is evil, and loving each other so well that we work to out do one another showing honor to each other. Then Paul tells us how to do that. We are to work hard serving the Lord. We are to work hard by praying constantly, helping those in need, and walking with those who are in a trial. We are to love the lowly, those that the world deems untouchable, never to curse, always giving thought to what is honorable and acting upon it. Lastly as far as it is possible we are supposed to live in peace with everyone around us, even those we would consider our enemies. These are the true marks of the Christian faith that we should strive towards. We should use the Spiritual gifts that God has given us as he gives us the faith, but each of us should walk by the Spirit as God is leading in our lives. What would the church look like if we all sought to love each other the way Paul describes here?

Heavenly Father,
I admit that I am not always the best at loving others and showing honor to them. I need your help in doing this especially when I have been hurt by the person in the past. I ask that you would heal my past hurts so that I may love others the way you want me to love them. In Jesus' name, Amen!