I was kind of glad it rained this Independence Day. I had my fill of picnic food. I had enough sun. I just wanted to rest but the schedule was full. There would be no rest; or so I thought. I was pleasantly surprised. The rain cancelled most everything we had on our schedule. Although we found out too late too just stay home it worked out just fine. We went to the movies. Can't remember doing that on the 4th of July. Maybe a new tradition. On the spur of the minute I chose a movie and was surprised at how entertaining it was. I never spoke a word. That's the sign of a great movie. So what was so great about it? I thought you'd never ask.
We went to see the movie Tarzan. It followed the old Tarzan and Jane story line but unlike the cartoon it had an underlying honor and integrity theme. Honor was woven throughout the movie in several characters and was a stark contrast to the other characters that obviously had no honor what so ever. It got me thinking when one of the main characters asked Tarzan a question. "Where was your honor?" Tarzan replied, "I had none." When I heard that I realized he had been raised by animals so it was no surprise he would not have honor. He only knew what the animals knew. We have to be taught honor. Honor needs to be modeled. When we do not see honor being modeled we do not reproduce honor in those that we lead. We humans are to have honor. We are not mere animals. However, honor is not something we see everyday. When we do see it, at least when I see it, I am awe struck. It is rare to see a man hold the door for a lady. It is rare for one man to honor another man in public. It is even more rare to see children honor their parents, grandparents, teachers and those in authority. Parents don't honor children so that the children can model honor they have observed. We have lowered ourselves to the animal level in the area of honor. So what do we do?
We return to the Bible. The Bible tells us to give honor to whom honor is due. It commands us to honor our mothers and fathers. The Bible even tells us we are to honor our fathers friends.(Proverbs 27:10)
Romans 12:9-13 (ESV) "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
1 Peter 2:17-19 (ESV) "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
Ephesians 6:1-4 (ESV) "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
This week let's work to honor those to whom honor is due. Then let's take it a step further and honor those in authority whether they deserve it or not. That will be a challenge. That will take us dying to our self and allowing Christ to be formed in us.
We went to see the movie Tarzan. It followed the old Tarzan and Jane story line but unlike the cartoon it had an underlying honor and integrity theme. Honor was woven throughout the movie in several characters and was a stark contrast to the other characters that obviously had no honor what so ever. It got me thinking when one of the main characters asked Tarzan a question. "Where was your honor?" Tarzan replied, "I had none." When I heard that I realized he had been raised by animals so it was no surprise he would not have honor. He only knew what the animals knew. We have to be taught honor. Honor needs to be modeled. When we do not see honor being modeled we do not reproduce honor in those that we lead. We humans are to have honor. We are not mere animals. However, honor is not something we see everyday. When we do see it, at least when I see it, I am awe struck. It is rare to see a man hold the door for a lady. It is rare for one man to honor another man in public. It is even more rare to see children honor their parents, grandparents, teachers and those in authority. Parents don't honor children so that the children can model honor they have observed. We have lowered ourselves to the animal level in the area of honor. So what do we do?
We return to the Bible. The Bible tells us to give honor to whom honor is due. It commands us to honor our mothers and fathers. The Bible even tells us we are to honor our fathers friends.(Proverbs 27:10)
Romans 12:9-13 (ESV) "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
1 Peter 2:17-19 (ESV) "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
Ephesians 6:1-4 (ESV) "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
This week let's work to honor those to whom honor is due. Then let's take it a step further and honor those in authority whether they deserve it or not. That will be a challenge. That will take us dying to our self and allowing Christ to be formed in us.
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