— Howard W. Norton

God’s word says, “Pay to all what is owed to them: . . . respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:7 – ESV).  

He also says, “Honor everyone.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God.  Honor the emperor” (I Peter 2:17).  Although Christians’ first loyalty was to God (Acts 5:29), they still owed honor to the emperor Nero, an evil and corrupt leader.

People have always found ways to honor heroes through such things as statues, libraries, memorials, and biographies.  Some have shown appreciation by giving the names of heroes to cities and counties, schools and universities, hospitals, parks, and holidays. 

Some reject these gestures of admiration if the heroes were ever guilty of saying or doing anything that violates the values of 2020.

Their thinking, carried to its logical conclusion, would mean the end of honoring anyone – even notables like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Booker T. Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson, or Martin Luther King.  Why?  Because no one has ever been perfect except Jesus Christ.

Let’s acknowledge our heroes’ mistakes but still honor these flawed human beings whose amazing feats bless our lives.