Honoring the Dishonorable

How do we as Christians, honor parents, spouses, bosses, etc., if they are not honorable or even abusive? First, it is good to remember that we are all sinners and deserving of God's righteous wrath. In 1 Samuel, David gives us an example in the matter.

Throughout 1 Samuel, David is given opportunity to defend himself by killing Saul and each time he refuses. 1 Samuel 26:9-11, David responds to Abishai's request to kill Saul by saying, "As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord's anointed."

Many times we want to see justice done now or want to exercise it ourselves. Even though Saul was an evil leader who hunted David in order to kill him, David honored the Lord by showing respect for the office of the king. To this end, Paul speaks to this at the end of Romans 12 by saying, "Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'...Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

May God give us grace to honor him by entrusting all of our relationships into his hands.