Love and Honor Every Man

Love and Honor Every Man


Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24

Love every man in spite of his falling into sin. Never mind the sins: remember that the man is still the image of God. Other people's weaknesses strike us; but we too are not without evil - perhaps indeed there is more in us than in others. At least in respect to sin all are equal: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

We all equally need His mercy. Therefore, besides loving one another, we must bear with one another, in order that our heavenly Father may forgive us: "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who tresspass against us."

So, with all your soul love and honor in every man the image of God, not taking account of his sins, for God alone is holy, God alone is holy, God alone is without sin. See how much He loves us, how much He has created and still creates for us, punishing us mercifully and forgiving us so abundantly. Honor the man, in spite of his sins, because he can always amend.

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Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name; deliver us and forgive our sins, for Thy name's sake!
Pslam 78/79:9

Every sin proceeds from the spirit of evil. He who sins is enslaved by sin, is torutred by sins; therefore, do not be too severe with him who sins, but be gentle with him, remembering our common infirmity. Pity the sinner as one who is sick, as one who has lost his way, as one who is walking in darkness, as one who is bound with iron fetters,as one whose mind is deranged: for the sinner is all of these things.

You must watch gently over such a one in every way, so that sin may not darken him, may not bind him, may not burn him, may not plunge him into sickness, may not destroy him.


St. John of Kronstadt
Counsels on the Christian Priesthood
Selected Passages from My Life in Christ
edited and introduced by W. Jardine Grisbrooke
pp. 111-114
1994, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press
Crestwood, New York