Honor

The Bible says to give honor to where honor is due Romans 13:7. But what does it mean to give honor? What does the word actually mean? There are many definitions of honor according to Websters and other dictionaries but I am fond of the definition “to show merited respect”. Why? Because the person has done something that is worthy of adoration, respect and honor because of their actions toward us and others...their superior standing. We honor many people: parents, family, presidents, celebrities, children, athletes etc. But do we actually take time to give God honor. He sent his son Jesus to pay the ultimate price for our sin and many days go by and we do not thank him or give him the honor that he deserves.

Today is Father’s Day and is set aside on the 3rd Sunday of June to make us think about and take time to honor the men in our lives that helped raise us or our children, the father figures in our lives, the father of our children and our biological father. That is important but we should not forget the ultimate sacrifice that God made for you and I to give us the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ his son.

For God so loved the world that HE GAVE his only begotten SON (JESUS) that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Who wouldn’t want to honor the true and living God who would make such a sacrifice. Who loves us even when we don’t/didn’t love him. How many of us can say that we would love someone and die for them even when they didn’t love us or take time to give us thanks and honor?

When the President of the United States walks in a room every able body person stands regardless of whether they are Democrat, Republican or whether they voted for him or not. We come to attention by standing on our feet to give the position he holds honor. Well if we do this for a man and we should based on Romans 13:1-7 how much more should we give God honor because he holds the highest position in the universe.

Maybe you don’t want to honor God because your earthly father didn’t behave in a way that you think is worthy of honor. Maybe he beat you, your siblings, your mother or maybe he left the family for someone else. But until you are able to forgive that person and give the position they were appointed in your life honor. You will never be free to honor God. You will always view God through the same lens in which you viewed and judged your father, step-father or the man that held the title or position of father regardless of whether he was successful in it or not.

Today I challenge you to remove that lens and see your father through God’s eyes. Forgive him and forgive yourself and begin to strive to live a life of love. It won’t happen overnight but the first step to freedom from the past is repentance and asking God to help you forgive and to move forward. Asking God to help you love those who have hurt you and who you feel are not worthy of your love.

Pray this prayer: God, I come to you seeking help to forgive those who have hurt me. I ask you to help me to forgive myself because I thought I deserved what was done to me in the past and because of my past I have not been able to give you the honor and love that you deserve. I have not been able to love others, myself and you. I believe that you have heard my prayer and from this day forward I believe that you will help me to live a life of forgiveness and love. In Jesus name Amen!

If you prayed the above prayer I would like to hear from you. Please comment or send me an email.