“Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits on the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:13
Dear Ones:
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses wrote concerning honor, that it is to be applied to the most fundamental relationship in the family, the honor that children are to give to their parents. He wrote: “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12) Paul spoke of this commandment to the Ephesian believers, and added, that it was the first commandment with promise, “…that it may be well with thee and that thou mayest live long on the earth.” (6:2-3) Why do we begin our consideration of “honor to whom honor is due,” by speaking of that which should be experienced in the family? It is because of the very personal nature of the matter, the individual’s responsibility, and primarily, the testimony of the grace of God to truly do so. If the true act and attitude of honor, that which is of God, and in Christ, is to be seen, it will be where the attitude of the children towards their parents is lived, and also, in the honoring of those to whom it is due, in every day life.
As in every subject that we consider in the Bible, we always begin with Christ, not only as the example of honoring, but as the very essence and power of it. In the gospel of John, we find where the Lord Jesus says of His relationship towards the Father, “…I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me…And I seek not mine own glory.” (8:49,50) He goes on to say, “If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is My Father that honors Me.” (v.54) Jesus lived to please only the Father, did all things for the Father’s glory. He, by His life and works, always pointed the attention, that would naturally be directed to Him, to the Father, for He received all FROM the Father. So, how do we understand this matter of honor? What is it to have “honor,” the honor that God gives? It has to do with the worth and value of the person honored. Christ, by His actions, words, and demeanor, “gave,” or attributed to the Father, the holy, eternal worth and beauty of His being. For Christ, there was never any other object of devotion and love, than the Father, for there was none so worthy and of such holy beauty. The fact that He would say, “I honor the Father,” meant that by what He was and said, He lived to wholly give to the Father the praise and blessing for all that He was. How do we translate this Divine concept, and power to live it, into relationships upon this sinful earth?
We begin with a knowledge of the truth. The truth is that we do NOT, in and of ourselves, have such a high standard, or capacity, to honor another in this manner. The only way the honoring of God, and honoring our fellow man, whether in relationships in the family, or in the world, is by the Spirit. God has to open our eyes to what honoring Him means, and how it applies to relationships on this earth. Secondly, it is only by walking with Christ, dependent upon the Spirit, that the power is present to do this. The practical pattern for honoring God begins by turning away from ourselves, seeking the honor of men. Specifically, the standard for honoring parents, because of the worth that God gives to them, is only possible as we deny ourselves, to do so. And again, it is only possible in a manner that is acceptable to God, by the Spirit. Only in walking in communion with God does it become possible. To honor God first, and to give honor to those to whom it is due, is an act and attitude from God by the Spirit.
Dear Father, Give us the Spirit of Christ in such measure that we too will honor Thee, and give honor to those to whom it is due, upon this earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad