Yesterday in Revival Group, we had quite the experience. Over the weekend, one of the ladies in our group made some hurtful comments publicly on our group Facebook page. It caused quite a bit of commotion and was brought to the attention of our leader. Sheri, our Revival Group Pastor, decided to nip this thing in the bud to prevent any further hurt to our family.
Our friend who had made the harsh comments stood publicly before the entire group (around 70 of us) and tearfully apologized for what she had said. She was immediately forgiven and embraced by the main person she had offended. But this wasn't the best part. She, and the gentleman who had been hurt, sat on 2 chairs in the middle of the room. Then the other 65 or so people gathered around them. We released words of forgiveness, encouragement and healing to them. There were hugs, tears, and a real feeling of love in the atmosphere. You could almost reach out and touch it.
We talk a lot around here about being a culture of honor. It is a core value of ours. We believe everyone is worthy of being honored, having been made in the image of God and bought by His precious blood. It's easy to give honor to, say, Bill Johnson. Whenever he comes in to speak, we all enthusiastically stand and applaud. He's awesome!
Giving honor to a brother or sister who has just sinned is a whole different ballgame. What does honor look like when she just hurt us, very publicly?
Honor means that someone can confess their sin to us without fear of emotional consequences. We will love and treat you the very same as before you confessed. There is no probationary period in our relationship with you. We will continue to honor the anointing and destiny that is over your life, even when you screw up. (Note: I am talking about sin that is genuinely being confessed and repented of. I understand there is a time and place for discipline and correction, particularly for those in leadership with hidden sin.) God is not into punishing people who confess their sin! I wonder how many people could get free of shame if they felt safe confessing their sin to a brother or sister without punishment or emotional consequences?
I am so thankful to be in a place where we take honor seriously. Many people talk a good game about honor, but now I am watching it in action on a daily basis. Let's really love each other and believe the very best about one another. And when one of us stumbles, let us be quick to forgive and restore them. God has made each of us awesome, but we are all in process. I am committed to seeing the very best in each person. The call of God on their lives is much more significant than any past or current struggles they may have.
The best thing about this place is not the miracles, the prophetic, the numbers. It's the love, demonstrated by the honor we show for one another. All the power in the world can't hold a candle to love.
