We exercise freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. A Culture of Honor is developed by the choices we make living our everyday life. Choices to keep our promises, our word, our agreements. Who are we when no one else is watching?
1 Peter 2:17 states, 'Honor all people.' All is inclusive, it means ALL: the lady at Starbucks who gets the drink order wrong, or the person driving a bit too slowly on the freeway. Who are we when we have just a little bit of power? In Jeremiah 31:31 the Lord declares, "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." This is a declaration of the new covenant, an internal governing system. No longer will God's people be governed by external law but by an internal knowing of God himself. Control over other people is just an illusion; so how do we honor when we are scared, hurt, or humiliated? Do we devalue others so we can justify how we feel about them? Do we feel justified when someone fails? Or do we humble ourselves with Honor?
We raise a standard in the lives of other people through Honor, people become better people through Honor. True honor is humility for both the giver and the receiver: it builds character, integrity and relationship. The choice is up to us. We get to choose if we live a life of “Frighteousness” - righting injustice through fear, anger and false power, enforcing order through fake authority - or a life of Righteousness - righting through God's order. Proverbs 21:21 states, “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” By pursuing a lifestyle of God's internal order for our thoughts, words and actions, we create a Culture of Honor both internally and externally. Honor becomes more than just words and recognition, it becomes our every day life.
This is a synopsis of the message Sheri Silk preached at Bethel Church February 19th 2010, during the Friday night Revival Service.
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