Embracing honour in our Christian walk
Honour speaks of regard and respect for another, done in love. It involves treating them as sacred and special. In our Christian walk, honour holds immense importance. Jesus would often return to His hometown and encounter difficulty in performing miracles due to the dishonour present in the hearts of the people.
Mark 6:4-6 KJV:
4 But Jesus said unto them, “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, among his own kin, and in his own house.”
5 And He could not perform mighty works there, except that He laid His hands upon a few sick individuals and healed them.
6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went around the villages, teaching.
Here, we witness the connection between dishonour and unbelief. When we dishonour God’s men, we essentially embrace unbelief and reject faith in God’s work through them. Honour, on the other hand, involves receiving them. It is faith in action. Therefore, when we receive God’s men, we must do so with the understanding that they are sent from God to us. Our pastors and leaders deserve our respect and regard. Let us never treat them with disdain or consider their calling common, for doing so will prevent us from being blessed. Honour whom God has sent and don’t be selective or circumstantial with it. Rejecting God’s men is equivalent to rejecting His blessings (see Matthew 11:40-42).
In our journey of honour, we must also acknowledge that our honour for God’s men is tied to their work, duties, and labour in the Gospel This was Apostle Paul emphasis in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13;
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
“For their work’s sake.” Our pastors and leaders invest significant effort on our behalf, and they deserve to be honoured. Let us not belittle their work or consider it ordinary. Similar to Hannah’s example, we should perceive individuals in light of their labour and the significance they hold for us (read 1 Samuel 1:1-15). Hannah could have dishonoured Eli because he didn’t reach the right conclusion, but she chose the opposite path and responded with honour and respect. This serves as an important lesson for us!
Dear believer, take a moment for an honour check today. Examine your heart and your attitude toward God’s men in your life. Do you honour them sufficiently? Do you support them by giving to them? Are your actions characterized by honour?
Daily Bible Reading Plan:
Bible Reading – Ezekiel 25-28
TEACHING OF THE DAY
The importance of Christian gathering