The Forgotten Virtue / Romans 12:10b

If you could live in any time period, would you choose the present?

If you could live in any nation, would you choose America?

Not long ago, the responses to those two questions would be a resounding yes.

We fought against the bullies of the world. We had admirable leaders. We had a culture of honor.

Today we are living in a honor crisis. Many of us are not proud of our culture, because culture is proud of things it should be ashamed to admit.

Rather than honoring things like our bodies, marriage, the elderly, authority, parents, and human life we are taught to put ourselves first.

If it is true that matter miraculously exploded onto the scene and through unexplainable circumstance, and the world was created from nothing, then there is no objective reason to honor anything. Nothing created us, so nothing matters.

If it is true that we evolved from monkey’s because we were better, faster, and stronger, then honor is not only unnecessary, it’s foolish. According to the worldview of macro-evolution, I would benefit from putting myself above you, not from seeking to honor you.

Thankfully, these theories are not reality. We were created by a good God who is worthy of our honor. Every human is equally made in his image and as a result, every human has value.

Every human has dignity in their DNA.

But there was only one human who also had divine DNA. Jesus was truly human, but he was also truly God. No one deserved greater honor than him.

And yet, though he deserved all honor, he choose the path of humility.

Here is how Paul describes the scene in Philippians,

though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

While we were living in shame because of our bad decisions, Jesus took that shame upon himself as he died on the cross in our place. When he rose from the dead, he conquered shame and now offers honor to all who trust in him.

If you are a Christian, you believe in a king who became a servant to clothe you in honor.

This belief is the motive and power for us to live out tonights challenge.

Outdo one another in showing honor.

The word for “outdo” in the original language is only found in this verse. It carries the idea of taking the lead, setting an example, and guiding.

Do you want to be a leader? Do you want to make a difference? Are you competitive? Here is the first step. Call out the good you see in others. Set an example of respect. Compete with each other in compliments.

But do not mis-interpret what I am saying. If you give praise so that you will receive attention, that is not honor, that’s flattery.

Honor doesn’t look at it’s own hands when it claps for another, it looks at the recipient of praise.

In just a few weeks I am going to be preaching on senior recognition Sunday. On May 21, we hope to honor seniors by praying for them, recognizing, and encouraging them. How shameful would it be if I approached that day with the intent to impress the crowd with my preaching as I ‘honor’ the seniors. That wouldn’t be honor, that would be selfishness.

This is how popular culture teaches us to act to get what we want. If you want the girl, compliment her looks. If you want the job, flatter the secretary. Not because you care about the workers, but because you want the job.

Popular culture only teaches the first three words of this verse, “outdo one another”. This mindset leads to jealousy and division, not peace.

Here is a check list to see if you have been influenced by the spirit of shame:

Do you feel envy when others receive deserved affirmation?

Do you hope for your peers to fail or at least be worse than you?

Do you flatter others in hopes of receiving something in return?

If these are consistently true of you, then you are living in insecurity and you are going to pull the rest of your community down to your fears.

You will not be able to live out this verse if you want all of the honor. You will not be able to live out this verse if you are not looking for the good in others.

Instead of being miserably insecure, here is a refreshing alternative: show honor.

Close your eyes. Bring to your mind moments that you have been honored. Look at that day when your work was recognized. Hear that compliment that came from a person who really knows you. How did that simple act of honor affect you? Did it make you feel joy? Did it give you hope? Did it increase your love? That power is the gift that you have the opportunity to give to another.

And here is the secret sauce, it must be shown. Honor that isn’t shown is useless.

What good is it to feel admiration and never tell them your respect?

What good is it to look up to someone and keep it to yourself?

No one wins when honor remains hidden. Everyone wins when honor is shown.

Showing honor benefits you. You feel the unstained happiness of selflessness.

Showing honor benefits the recipient. Their excellent behavior is justly affirmed.

Showing honor benefits the community. Everyone is taught to consider others more highly than themselves.

Okay, so it’s clear that we should show honor, but who should we honor?

The Bible’s answer is surprising:

1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Honor everyone. Christianity uniquely teaches us to honor everyone. Because each person is made in God’s image, each person is valuable. This mindset protects from racism, favoritism, and a pride.

Honor those we’d naturally resist. We all know how to honor a great leader. Even unbelievers love a basketball coach who led his team to victory. But the Bible calls for Christians to honor those we’d naturally resist. This verse called believers to honor the emperor, the very person who was persecuting them. Other passages call for us to honor groups like the elderly, authority figures, widows, and parents. When we show honor to those we would naturally resist, we learn how to lead, we benefit, and we display grace.

Honor the deserving. Finally, honor those who are worthy of praise. This encourages them for their sacrifice and lifts the whole group towards greater excellence.

Now that we know who to honor, what does it look like to show honor?

This is the fun part.

Be creative in showing honor in a way that is natural to you.

If you are good with words, be specific and lavish in your compliments. Speak up when you see something praiseworthy.

Maybe honor looks like following even when you want to rebel.

If you are good at serving or generous, make them a card or give them a gift.

Be creative and have fun outdoing one another in showing honor. It is a quick path towards a happier life and a healthier community.