Honor

"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God, 

and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; 

to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight."

The Boy Scout Oath

   Today honor is treated like just another nostalgic idea like chivalry, helping an old lady across the street or paying your taxes. Honor is seen as an obligation, and because we, human beings, tend to be lazy by nature, we put off being honorable if we attempt to be so at all. However, a sense of Honor is a part of what has historically kept this nation together. The freedoms we enjoy, which are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, only work so long as the people are honorable enough not to abuse those freedoms. This is not just true of the people of the United States of America, but also of God's people. It has never been enough for God's people to just follow the rules of the Law. God has always wanted more. Too many people get hung up in Paul's teaching about faith being the key to righteousness instead of works while the apostle James teaches "faith without works is dead." What Paul and James are talking about is character. Each of them is talking to people taking their obligation to Christian faith in different extremes. Some wanted to earn their way to heaven. Others wanted to be Christian without having to do any work at all. Paul has teaching about how we are to tread this fine line.

1Thessalonians 4:1-12 is a call for Christians to be people of character, and to live a life of honor. Too often we think rules are to keep us from enjoying life. This is a mistake. Scripture is the guide to a better life, not just for me, or for you, but for us all. It is time for people of faith to consider what it means to live lives of character for God; for our country; and for ourselves.