We can honor the Father because He’s first honored us. He has lifted us up and seated us in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:4-6). He has changed our relationship from being a servant to being a friend (John 15:15), He’s called us His co-workers(2 Corinthians 6:1), and He’s made us joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
Why has He done this? Why does He cause the sun to rise on the evil and good and send rain on the righteous and unrighteous (Matthew 5:45)?
It’s the same reason why we need to honor all people:
He can’t allow another’s lack of honor to affect who He is.
I can’t allow another’s attitude to change who He has called me to be.
Biblically speaking, honor isn’t simply for the honorable. Honor is…
Raising another up to my level, because I can’t allow their attitude to change who I am.
If honoring someone is raising them up to my level, we should find evidence of it being done in Scripture. There are plenty of examples. I’ll give you three:
Jonathan did this for David when he gave David the servant his clothes (1 Samuel 18:3-4 ).
And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt. (NLT)
David did this for Mephibosheth when he gave the crippled grandson of his enemy room at his table (2 Samuel 9:8 ).
Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” (NLT)
Most vividly, Jesus did this when He washed Judas’ feet after Judas was already prompted to betray Him (John 13:2-5).
It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
Have you ever caught that in the story? The devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus, and Jesus washed his feet. His example is why I can assert “Honor is raising another up to my level, because I can’t allow their attitude to change who I am.”
Jesus did it. He gave us the Spirit to help us. This is how and why we honor all people. Lord, help all your children to grasp this and not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications into every area of our lives.
Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. Galatians 5:25 (The Message)
Love to hear your thoughts. The next post will be on how we can honor in conflict.
