“Honor Everyone” 1 Peter 2:17 (ESV)

A truly humble Christian is not only disposed to honor the saints in his behavior; but others also, in all those encounters with those whose ways do not imply a visible approbation of their sins. Thus Abraham, in the great pattern of believers, honored the children of Heth: Gen 23:7, “Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land.”
This was a remarkable instance of a humble behavior towards them that were out of Christ, and that Abraham knew to be accursed, and therefore would by no means suffer his servant to take a wife to his son from among them;
So also, Paul honored Festus: Acts 26:25, “I am not mad most noble Festus”

Not only will Christian humility dispose persons to honor those wicked men that are outside the visible church, but also false brethren and persecutors. As Jacob, when he was in an excellent frame, having just been wrestling all night with God, and received the blessing, honored Esau, his false and persecuting brother: Gen 33:3
“Jacob bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother Esau.”
So he called him lord, and commanded all his family to honor him in like manner.

Thus, Jonathan Edwards has endeavored to describe the heart and behavior of one that is governed by a truly gracious humility, as exactly agreeable to the scriptures as he was able.

I have to say that the confidence that we should have in the wrath of God, and the desire to imitate the lamb-like, dove-like temper of Christ should make us quietly bold when the occasion arises that we have opportunity to respond in love to the enemies of Christ.......since while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Luke 6:35
"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

If our heart is set on things above, (scripture and thoughts of Christ's return, our blessed hope) then we will be able to be led by the Spirit to respond with the grace of our Father.
We all know well how our flesh responds when it is wronged.....and is it not easy to tell whether or not we are walking by the Spirit when our "rights" have been violated?!?!?!

But as Oswald Chambers wrote...somewhere......(I'll find it) "As believers, we have no rights, we have only responsibilities." God is not a democrat that we should vote for Him....Christ is King unelected- and His throne will not be compromised. So we can take heart.....our King is just and righteous and Holy.....and as it says in Romans 12:19-21
"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengence in mine, I will repay, says the Lord"
To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not overcome evil by evil, but overcome evil with good."

For the sake of the Name ~ Let us love our enemies.
Jen2