When He comes into the room Honor comes with Him.

Since the cross we now have a choice...to live in the culture of shame or to create a culture of honor.

Shame walks into the room and immediately starts comparing and ranking himself with the others....It is so normal in every circle of association. It is our natural proclivity. Shame is easy and comfortable for all of us. You cannot help the opinions from forming in your mind. It is how we run families, schools, businesses and governments.

But when Honor walks into the room a fresh breeze comes with him, you immediately feel valued.

(The truth is you are valuable. You are His copy, created in His likeness and after his own image and the cross placed you on His dream team.)

When Jesus walks into any room (slanted right or left) honor and value comes with Him.

Jesus walked into all kinds of political, social and religious rooms filled with shame base people. Some got it, some didn't. The Message chapter 3;1, says "He went back in the meeting place where He found a man with a crippled hand." (with every intention to honor the man.) However... "The Pharisees had their eyes on Him to see if he would heal him, hoping to catch Him in an infraction." Now that is messed up!

Even two of his own disciples he jokingly nick-named "Sons of Thunder."

Shame and Honor are both powerful motivators.

Shame grades you according to your performance and leaves you to wallow and try harder. It's fruit is pretense, whereas Honor recognizes your intrinsic value and calls you up from the inside out.

It's the difference between canned salmon and fresh smoked salmon ...or church as most of us know it versus family...or planned and canned fellowship versus Jesus showing up fellowship....

The difference between Shame and Honor is His Presence. It is night and day. When He shows up everyone in the room is elevated. His presence is absolutely essential.

And now because of the cross, we are his shame free sons and daughters and His reps on earth. We have become hosts of His presence.

Yep thats who we are...LOVE in human form... in every circle of association.