Whatever Happened to Honor?

Honor – 1 great respect. 2 a clear sense of what is morally right. 3 something that is a privilege and a pleasure (Compact Oxford English Dictionary)

These are the first three definitions of honor in this dictionary and when I ask the question about what happened to honor, I am referring to the first definition.

The erosion of honor is hurting culture and the church. There is a clear call for followers of Jesus.

Honor

Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:10 (ESV)

What would happen if this was strictly adhered to? How much would the church change? This is a call for the church, for followers of Jesus, to radically change the way relationships work.

I have a hard time imagining how this would even look in the church. We magnify our petty differences, put ourselves first and exercise our ‘right’ to speak our minds, regardless of the fallout.

The New Testament portrays a radically different church culture than we are used to. And this verse in Romans got me thinking about other expectations that the early church fathers had about how the church was to look.

Peace

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 12:18 (ESV)

This verse not only applies to how we get along with others in the church but how we get along with everyone! Imagine if every follower of Jesus really took this verse to heart! The church and our culture would look radically different if we are making every effort to live at peace with one another. Sadly, too many self-described Christians are actively caught up in a culture war! Of course, war and peace are on opposite ends of the relationship spectrum.

While we never compromise biblical moral standards, we must still strive to live peaceably with everyone.

Hindrances

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Romans 14:13 (ESV)

Being judgmental is a stumbling block and hindrance for someone who is seeking spiritual growth. Are we stubbornly and loudly condemning sin in such a way that the sinner is condemned? That is a problem. No one wants to belong to a group that judges others or makes it unnecessarily hard to participate.

Barriers to spiritual growth and participation exist in too many churches. This is not the way we are to be!

Do good

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:10 (ESV)

We all have many opportunities to do good. This is another verse that applies to our conduct to believers and unbelievers alike. We are called upon to do good to everyone – yes, everyone. That means we do good to people we like and people we don’t like. It means we do good to people we agree with and with those we disagree with. Doing good is what followers of Jesus do.

Our words

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers.

James 4:11 (ESV)

Gossip is wrong. Casting aspersions is wrong. Any evil speaking we engage in regarding other followers of Jesus is wrong. Sadly, speaking evil of others happens in even the highest levels of the church.

How different the church would look if we just stopped speaking evil against one another. Our witness to the world would greatly improve if we all decided to stop doing this! Instead, we should intentionally speak good about one another.

Humility

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV)

We may not say things like, “I’m better than you” but we often think it! The attitudes we nurture come out in our words and actions. And while we many never boast of our own superiority, if we are embracing that thought, it will be obvious to others.

When we compare our lives with the life of Jesus, we get a much more accurate view of where we stand. Until we reach the absolute pinnacle of perfection in every possible way, pride can have no place in our lives.

Love

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

1 John 3:16 (ESV)

I have been around long enough to know that many who call themselves loving Christians aren’t even willing to lay down their opinions for the brothers, let alone lay down their lives. We cling to our preferences, our traditions, our likes and dislikes despite how they effect other followers of Jesus.

Finally

Let me suggest that we all do something radical right now.

Ask God to help us elevate honor, love, humility, peace, good speech and encouragement. We absolutely know that this is God’s will for his people and his church. We are the body of Christ. We must make every effort to look like Jesus in all we do. If we commit to this, the Spirit of God will help us make it a reality.