The way of honor

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. I Peter 2:16-17

Freedom for the believer in Jesus Christ is the way of honor. We honor God first and secondly one another. We live as servants of God, but even more importantly as friends of God. Jesus said that no one has any greater love than this, to lay down ones life for his friends. He then went on to say that you are my friends if you obey what I say. (John 15)

In all of our relationships, the good and the hard, the easy and those we find challenging to love, we must learn to honor and love in a way that reflects Christ. We hold in high honor one another and we tread carefully with our words, our thoughts, and our actions towards each other. I am convinced that if we were to master one thing in the church, love and honor for one another would in itself produce a harvest of revival that would spill outside of the four walls of the church. You see at the core people are vulnerable, easily wounded, and not easily trusting. Everyone carries around whatever weight they have carried from past blows dealt by the enemy, a family member, a spouse, or a friend. Therefore we must not judge one another, but rather seek to bless and encourage each other. If we can touch the Fathers heart to get the affirmation we need from Him alone first, then we can give that same affirmation out to a brother or a sister without the fear of how they will treat you or respond to you. The way of humility is how we progress in the kingdom of God. We do not demand from anyone that they change, rather we seek to change regardless of another persons response or attitude towards us. Let God be God, and every man a liar. He is the only one who can soften hardened hearts and restore the broken walls in relationships.

Seize the day. Love the brotherhood. Honor someone today practically. You will be blessed.