Everyone wants honor, but few are willing to give it.
We actually live in a culture and age of dishonor. It has become the norm for us to disrespect and dishonor anyone and everyone. Whether on radio or television, or in conversations at Starbucks, no one is immune from the assault.
Many of us confuse honor with respect. We think honor is something we can withhold from someone based on their performance, or based on how much we like them. But that’s not biblical honor. In the Bible honor is nonnegotiable.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother. (Ephesians 6:1–2)
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God…Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” (Romans 13:1, 7)
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
(1 Peter 2:17–19)
We are told to not only honor the people we like or agree with, but we are called to honor all people. Honor is value that it’s freely given, recognizing that God has placed the people who are in our lives.
Honor literally means “a valuing.” The image is one of appreciation, esteem, favorable regard, respect. Honor is close to God’s heart. In fact, without honor God cannot work in our lives. But many times God will send us what we need in a package we don’t like.
“When Jesus came to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things? And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
(Matthew 13:53-58)
God’s Son, the embodiment of the Godhead, could not do anything significant with people who did not honor Him. This still applies today. Where God and His ways are not honored, He is hindered from doing great things.
Honor is the essential key to receiving from God, and for this very reason the enemy of our souls has all but eliminated the true power of honor. Honor carries with it great power and great blessings!
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