GRACE to YOU, GRACE to ME

 

August 29, 2024

Honoring one another involves grace. Romans 12 says, “Take delight in honoring each other.” I understand that to mean that “each other” means each other. No exceptions. I’m going to honoring you. You are going to honor me. Remember, what we said about honoring others that we are talking about treating people like they have value and like their life matters.

Honoring one another involves grace in several ways.

• Honor involves grace because of people. People struggle with sin, they also have weaknesses. But that does not disqualify them from being honored. Their life is still important. They are still valuable. And it takes grace to honor one another, especially the people who make it hard to honor them. I think we all have some of those challenging folk in our lives. Even so, what a witness to God’s life in us when we Show honor to others. It is an act of grace.
• You cannot show honor to someone enough. We are told to outdo each other in honor. There is no limit to our placing honor on others. God is saying go all out when it comes to honor. Don’t hold back. So go ahead and honor your spouse. Go ahead and honor your teacher. God ahead and honor your parents. Go ahead and honor your brother or sister. God wants you to do this.

A TAKE AWAY

Let us think about two things:

• Who do you need to honor? Is there someone in your life that God is prompting your heart to honor in some way?  How does God want you to show honor to them? Speaking with more respect,  a word of appreciation, or an act of kindness?
• Is there anyone you have dishonored by the way you spoke to them in front of others or even privately? Is there someone you have been cold toward, rude, and distant when in reality who should have shown honor to them? By speaking with respect toward them.

Those are tough questions aren’t they? Searching questions. They made me uncomfortable wrestling with them. Let’s sit with those a little while today. Let the Holy Spirit direct your thoughts and assist you toward being a person of honor by showing honor.