gn_020701

Where Honor is Due
by Pastor Bill Pevlor

The counterculture of the 1960’s was a satanic strategy to undermine the values that this society was founded upon. Every now and then you can catch a documentary featuring former hippies reminiscing, misty eyed about the high ideals at the forefront of the Cultural Revolution characterized by flower children chanting mantras for “peace, love, dope and rock and roll.” No matter how lofty the ideals may have seemed, for the most part, the philosophies that were spawned in the 60’s drug culture are completely contradictory to the Bible. One of the many lingering effects is the “ideal” of disrespect and irreverence.

American culture has always been somewhat disrespectful (being the rugged individualists that we are) but in the past thirty to forty years we have seen alarming signs of decay. Just look at the world of entertainment, sports and politics. It’s hard to find a television show or movie that does not exalt a coarse talking, wise-cracking, authority-bashing character to hero status. Songs like “Take This Job And Shove It” quickly rise to the national charts. We once considered “sportsmanship” an important quality in our athletes. Now boasting and taunting are acceptable, and even lauded behavior in today’s world of “in-your-face” sports. Politics may have always had its dirty side behind closed doors, but it was hidden. Now, it’s virtually impossible to find a campaign without mud flying in all directions.

The Bible tells us “Give everyone what you owe him…if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Romans 13:7) Because most of us like life and relationships to be very informal, we tend to think that God is very informal. The average Christian thinks that honor, reverence and protocol are unimportant to God. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible has a lot to say about honor and whom we are to honor.

First, and foremost, we are to honor God. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says we are to honor God with our body. In other words, involve yourself in activities that will bring honor to your Creator. Also, avoid any activities that would dishonor the Lord. Stay clear of sin and sexual impurity. We are also told in Proverbs 3:9 to honor the Lord with our wealth. Giving generously is a way to honor God. We honor the Lord when we pray. We honor the Lord when we praise and worship Him. Living our lives in submission to His directives and authority is honoring, and brings honor, to the Lord.

We are told in 1 Peter 2:17 to “honor the king.” By the way, there is no distinction between a Democrat or Republican “king.” We are instructed to honor all governmental authority because, according to Romans 13:1, “The authorities that exist have been established by God.” But what about when the government is corrupt? When this admonition to honor the king was written, the reigning king of that time was the Roman emperor, Nero; a demon-possessed, homosexual who had both his brother and mother murdered and brought barbaric persecution upon Christians by blaming them for the great fire in Rome during which he supposedly fiddled. Whether or not we agree with the political views or personal lives of our leaders, they are still due honor, according to the Bible.

We are told in scripture to honor the elderly and women. Jesus quoted scripture from the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy when He said “God said, ‘Honor your father and mother.’” (Matthew 15:4) The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy about honoring spiritual leaders saying that those “who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17)

A dictionary definition of “honor” is “high regard or great respect given.” How does one come to be held in high regard and worthy of this great respect? There are three main ways. First, by the office or position one holds. Positions of authority (political leader, boss, parents, etc.) automatically merit our respect, if only for the sake of what that position represents. Second, by fruitfulness or success. Those who’ve proven to be successful, with notable accomplishments, merit our respect. And, finally, by sacrifice. Those who have made great sacrifices for a noble cause merit great respect. The highest honors go, of course, to those who distinguished themselves in all three areas.

We are called by God to give honor where honor is due. When is the last time you honored someone? The Church should present a clear and striking contrast to the disrespectful and irreverent world we live in. Let us train our children to hold those worthy in high regard and give great respect. Let us bring honor to the Lord by giving honor where honor is due!

Back for more Good News

Victorious Faith Ministries
219 State Street, Algoma, WI 54201
Phone: 920-487-5775