In the absence of a regular jolt to help you see what you’re seeing, you read . . .
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. Honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:16-17
. . . and, as with the hedgehog, you zoom right on by.
But it’s right there: Honor everyone.
Of course, sometimes the simplest instructions are noticed well enough . . . but then avoided. Because we like to complicate things.
What does “honor” really mean? Does “everyone” literally refer to “everyone”?
. . . and, as with speed limit signs, we come up with a whole host of excuses.
Honor everyone.
Sure, we have to do some thinking and come to a careful conclusion regarding what those two “simple” words are really meant to convey. But while I love careful thinking and hold the proper interpretation of Scripture rather highly, I also know I can think my way right out of honoring anybody.
Well, I don’t have to honor my enemies, or governing officials with whom I disagree, or the person who cuts me off on my way to work, or the lazy bum who is a detriment to society.
Honor everyone. Can I really come up with exceptions?
And as for “honor,” here’s a challenge: Ask not, How does this person deserve to be honored? or How will this person feel honored?
Ask instead, How does God define “honor”? And as a true, biblical sense of “honor” develops in your mind over time, apply it. To everyone.
Honor everyone. Two simple words.
And yet they have the power to squash criticism, judgment, and hate. {Because no matter whom you’re facing, those are some things honor is not.}
Two simple words.
And yet they have the power to transform a relationship, a grudge, an internet, an election, a society, a world.
Two simple words.
No longer overlooked or avoidable.
Simply honor everyone. That’s all that remains.
[image credit: pixabay.com]
Journey of the Word 
great post – simple and true to the core. thanks for the reminder. Just heard of a young girl whose name is Honor – I’ll have to wait for grandchildren to use that one – i mean suggest that one! ha!
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How does God define honor? Great question! If we could all just do that. Thank you for your words!
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Such a thought provoking post and a beautiful reminder that everyone deserves to be honored. Thank you for sharing this with us on #shinebloghop this week.
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Respect and courtesy is out dated by many. It is an old time virtue that we must teach our children for they may not learn it at public school. Honor your father and mother, Honor God, Honor the leaders, and then honor everyone. I like that. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
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Lydia, thank you for this emphasis. I love this passage of Scripture – so simple and yet so needful.
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Lydia – such a great post and 2 very powerful, and yet simple words. Honor is such an important commodity in the Kingdom of God and often the church as a whole doesn’t do a very good job of displaying honor, let alone honoring others. Thank you for sharing your thoughts today – I’m #33 at #CoffeeShopConversations today
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In September 2001, I was teaching my 3rd and 4th graders about Jesus’ commandment to love thy neighbor. We discussed that EVERYONE is our neighbor: our sibling, the kid at school that makes fun of us, etc..
One boy raised his hand and asked incredulously, “Even Osama bin Laden?!” My jaw dropped as Jesus made his presence felt.
Less than 2 weeks after the events of 9/11 I was having trouble accepting what had happened let alone gotten around to “loving” bin Laden even though he had committed a most grievous sin. Yet, a 10 year old boy reminded me that was what Jesus expected me to do.
Thanks for sharing on #FridayFrivolity.
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“Ask not, How does this person deserve to be honored?” Great observation. We become judges when we try to decide who deserves and who does not deserve. Everyone is pretty self-explanatory! 🙂
Love and honor are so closely related, and we are to love our enemies (and everyone else), so why not show them honor? The fact that it is humanly impossible only goes to show us our sinfulness and our need for a Savior and the empowering of the Holy Spirit who loves and honors everyone.
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You said it so well!
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Oh, yes…this is a hard command- and it would change the world if we all obeyed it. Honor everyone. It’s a simple and important truth, that we’re called to do this. I’m glad you reminded me of it. Thank you for linking with Grace and Truth last week!
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