Walking in to Citipointe Fort Collins yesterday, I could tell that so many others were being troubled with the same feeling of helplessness. It was like our hearts were yelling, "give me something to do!".... and Pastor Chris did.
As he started off with prayer to begin the sermon Honor (part 2), In Your Face, I expected him to pray for the victims, the family and friends, those still in the hospital, the law enforcement and medical staff that were handling this tragedy... and he did. What I didn't expect though was for him to pray for and honor James Holmes, the man who went into the theater and fired off round after round at movie goers less than 48 hours before. Chris honored him with disregard for his actions.
In my mind I thought “Whoa Whoa Whoa Pastor Chris! Don't you know what this guy just did? How can you honor who he is and forgive him so quickly?” My head and my heart couldn't grasp the concept immediately, but he was speaking truth. Check out my internal conflict below......
Me: But I don't want to pray for him........
Matthew 5:43-47
You have heard that is was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you; Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (From Jesus)
Me: But he killed someone........
Matthew 5:22
You have heard that is was said to the people long ago, "Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment." But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. (From Jesus)
Me: But he didn't just kill one person.....
Matthew 18:21
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?'
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven."
Me: But can't I just hold on to this a little longer.....
Ecclesiastes 5:4
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.
Ephesians 4: 26, 31
In your anger do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Me: But do we really have to honor who he is....
1 Peter 2:17
Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
Me: But if Pastor Chris is honoring him, do I still have to.....
Romans 12: 10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Honoring means to value, respect, highly esteem, to treat as precious, weighty or valuable.
God honors us in our hot mess....
It doesn’t mean that what we do is honorable, BUT who we are, a children of God, created in his own image, should ALWAYS be honored and be honoring others. We are commanded to treat everyone with honor because God says they are precious.
