Honor: it’s a topic that I’ve been pondering as of late. Maybe it’s because I spent the last 10 years of my life in Asia, where honor is a value that is worked out daily in human interactions. Or maybe it’s because the presidential elections are nearing (though they are still months away!) Or maybe it’s because I’ve had to spend much time mulling over the idea of honor to come to any sense about it.
But the Truth is clear. If we consider ourselves to be a followers of Jesus, then we must be people who give honor. It is the Spirit inside of us. God is always looking to honor others. I’m not saying that we do this perfectly or never make mistakes, but if we follow Him, we must learn how to honor.
I’m concerned with the way people comment to (and about) each other on the internet. I’m concerned with the flippant way I hear people talk about others (including Hollywood stars and presidential candidates- they’re people too!) And I’m concerned with the overall attitude of dishonor that seems to have become pervasive here. Especially when we find it in those who love Jesus (myself included, at times.)
We are called to give honor because it pleases God. He is worthy of us loving Him by obeying what He asks us to do. As we love Him more, we will naturally want to obey Him more.
The truth is: no one is worthy of honor. Not you. Not me. Not anyone. We are all guilty of hypocrisy. We have all fallen short of our own standards.
We honor because people are made in the image of God. We need to learn how to separate people’s actions and opinions from their intrinsic value. You are not merely the sum of your opinions. Neither is your ______________ (insert husband/wife, democrat/republican, liberal/conservative, gay/straight, or whichever is unlike you) neighbor. That person has value for the same reason that you do: because he/she was made in God’s image. You may not agree with all of his opinions or condone all of his actions, but that does not mean he is not worthy of your respect.
People are worthy of respect because they are humans, with the breath of God inside of their lungs! People are worthy of respect because of what they are worth to Jesus- His own life.
This is modeled to us in the life of one of Israel’s greatest kings: David. David was just a shepherd boy when he was anointed to be the next king of Israel. To make a long story short, the reigning king of Israel, King Saul, grows jealous of David and decides to spend the rest of his life hunting David down and trying to kill him. David has various opportunities to assassinate King Saul, but he does not. Even though Saul is not a very respectable character by the end of his life, David chooses to show honor. He honors the position in which God has placed Saul and does not overstep his boundaries. (A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards is a really interesting read on the life of David and his submissive heart to Saul.)
Jesus as well gives honor to those who were completely undeserving. (Wasn’t EVERYONE?) The woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, the crooked tax-collector, Judas (who will later betray him), the prostitute, and the list goes on. It wasn’t that these people were less deserving of honor than anyone else, it was just that their dishonorable deeds were more apparent than the average person. In fact, it was only the proud religious leaders that Jesus rebuked (and you can be sure it was all done out of a loving heart- that’s the only kind of heart Jesus had!)
I’m not saying that we should not speak up for truth. There will be times when we must correct and even rebuke. But all must be done in love, remembering that we too are vulnerable to sin. There just is absolutely no place in God’s Kingdom for name-calling and belittling. Not even if the person in need of correction is the leader of a political party that we oppose. Disagree with their policy, fine. Question their past decisions, fine. But dishonor them? It will only lead to the hardening of our own hearts.
And God knows, I’ve been guilty of this crime. It’s so easy to let pride deceive us into thinking that we are the sole owners of all things right and true. But I’ve found while ministering to many people over the years, that those who are the harshest critics of others are the very ones who are bound up in fear of being judged by those same people. It’s that darn measuring stick! (Matthew 7:2)
Who are we to judge someone else’s (aka God’s) servant? We simply cannot know the motive of another person’s heart.
Our words and the attitude of our hearts should be honoring. Not just to those with whom we agree or we like, but to all.
I’m all for sharing opinions, but we must consider what the fruit of our conversation will be. Will it do more damage than good? Is there a way that we can re-word our comments with wisdom?
If we are a followers of Jesus, our highest constitution is that of Christ’s. Just because America gives us freedom of speech does not mean that we are at liberty to say whatever we want. We are citizens of a higher Kingdom. The Bible is very clear about not using our freedom to hurt others. We are told to only speak that which will build others up. (Ephesians 4:29). Now that is a high standard. One that I miss daily, but by the transformational grace at work in my life, I strive to attain.
