“Honor All Men”

(an excerpt from the Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards)
1 Peter 2:17

A humble Christian is not only disposed to honor the saints in his behavior; but others also, with all those whose ways that do not imply a visible approbation of their sins. Thus Abraham, 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 out of 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.

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Treating people outside the church with ....honor??? What the ???

As I think about what we're commanded to do in loving our enemies and repaying good for evil.......it is not merely just buying something for them for Christmas when we are well aware that they gossip and slander us behind our backs .......it is so much more........it is the attitude of our hearts when we are in their presence.

People can easily sense when they are despised......they can see that their practices are disapproved of by us.....easily.......but - I wonder if they can they feel the power of the love of Christ that dwells in us by the Holy Spirit that we received while we were yet sinners?

God's love makes its object Holy. (not a theological trap.....I do not mean by our loving them they will become Holy, just meaning that our loving them by God's grace can lead to their conviction of sin.......beholding Holy love has a beauty in it that rocks the soul)

I'm sooo in need of learning this in the core of my being - so that while I can hate sin.........with utmost hatred.......I can still view people as eternal beings, desperately needing to embace the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Anycrux, that's all I got today ~

Jen2