develop a healthy, robust community — #3

You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.   James 3:18, The Message

Matt Redman sings the wonderful words, “You are worthy of all honor, glory, praise, and power” lifting the King of nations, Christ Jesus, up in song.  Yet, much, much too often, we don’t pour out such love, honor and dignity toward fellow believers in Christ.  Jesus revealed that people not in Christ would know who we are, Christians, by the love we have for one another, in fact, we are commanded to do that, (John 13:34-35).  Jesus added, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” (Matt 25:45).  If we aren’t treating each other with dignity and honor—then, we aren’t treating Jesus with dignity and honor.

Honor is not lip service, Jesus said, some “people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Matthew 15:8).  Our actions reveal our true heart.  Again God spoke, saying people “who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed” (1 Sam 2:30).  The phrase “lightly esteemed” also translates as being to be held in contempt.  Not showing honor to those in Christ, we hold then in contempt, we in turn, hold Christ is in the same manner, without dignity, nor honor. 

Peter teaches that we, Christians, are to, “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).  This is how we first begin to serve God and honor the King, Christ:  we serve by expressing love through proper respect—showing honor and dignity—to fellow believers in Christ. As Jesus said, “My Father will honor the one who serves me” (John 12:26).

In honor to you, that we may grow in Christ together,

Owen <><