Building a House of Honor

Over the years I've enjoyed teaching a class on the Family that has focused on the principle of HONOR, which is necessary in order to build healthy, Christ-like relationships.  Honor is the same principle that we build healthy families, church staffs and healthy congregations.  I would like to share a few ideas about the character of honor.

HONOR always places others in a position of priority and seeks to esteem them.   Paul tells believers to, "Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10).  This is not a natural posture to take in life but it was the posture of our Lord Jesus Christ when He sought our benefit on the cross.  This is so much more than just peacefully existing but it is actively and intentionally looking for ways to lift others up.

HONOR always does more than what is expected.  It does not look for the bare minimum that we can get by with in our relationships.  Honor seeks to excel and heap mounds of love on top of others.  The author of Hebrews says, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased" (Hebrews 13:16).  God is delighted by how we look for ways to show Christ-likeness towards others and it is considered as an act of sacrifice that God is pleased with.

HONOR believes the best of others even when we are tempted to question their motives.  This is Biblical love that we are challenged to have in 1 Corinthians 13.  Honor guards against anger because anger gives a stronghold to Satan to divide and destroy relationships (Ephesians 4:26-27).  Anger also quenches the Holy Spirit because it goes against the very unity that He brings to believers (Ephesians 4:30).

HONOR chooses to "walk in a spirit of forgiveness" because we have been freely forgiven by Jesus Christ.  He is our example to measure our lives against.  Because we choose to honor others they do not need to crawl to us seeking for forgiveness although there are times when forgiveness should be sought.  Honor does not hold back forgiveness or hold others in bondage.  Honor seeks to give forgiveness freely and allows others to move on and to try again.  This is the 70 X 7 principle that Christ spoke to Peter about (Matthew 18:22).

HONOR does things with the right attitude.  It has been said, "What Christians need is not more truth but the ability and strength to practice the truth that they already know."  Many Christians make themselves the exceptions when it comes to having a lousy attitude because they feel justified in the way they are feeling or are acting.  God's idea is that believers, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation" (Philippians 2:14-15).

HONOR, everyone wants it but not all choose to give it.  Let's choose to build a household of honor for HIS GLORY!