Honor is an interesting term that denotes giving high respect or credit to another. We can honor others through our words, deeds and motives. Additionally, honor designates moral integrity, and that term is often applied to a soldier.
Have you noticed the analogous relationship that exists between honoring God and honoring parents? Leviticus 20:9 tells us that any child who curses his parents should be put to death! With the first half of the 10 Commandments dealing with man’s relationship with God, He explicitly tells us how to honor Him by acknowledging that He is the only God, by not letting idols to get in the way of our relationship with Him and by respecting His name and His holy day. The second half of the 10 Commandments deals with man’s relationship with man, and the first relationship God highlights is that between a child and parent. Notice that there in not any stipulation following the words, “honor your father and your mother.” It does not say, IF! The honor we are called to give our parents has nothing to do with whether or not we agree with them, whether or not we view them as honorable or whether or not we feel indebted to the life they have given us. Additionally, there is no time limit on the commandment, as this honor is to continue throughout our lives.
Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.” That statement demonstrates the inward sign of the outward effect of the honor we should give to our Lord and to our parents. God’s plan placed us exactly where He wanted us. It doesn’t matter if your parents abandoned you as an infant; without them, you would not have life. In the same manner, each of us as believers understands that without God, we are spiritually dead. Though we have the tendency to see the failures and mistakes made by our parents, God desires for us to focus on the gift of life they have given, along with the sacrifices. Most children do not respect the amount of those sacrifices until they have children of their own.
Honor is not lip service, but heart service, as actions speak louder than words. God certainly understands the difference!
Therefore the Lord said:
“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Isaiah 29:13
Children can physically resemble their parents, yet similar traits can extend to personality, character and interests, depending on the amount of time spent together. Christians can resemble God in the same manner, yet without time spent with Him, the similarities will be minimal. Our first step to honoring God is through the thankfulness of what He has given us. Additionally, we can honor Him by obeying His commandments. Along those lines, honoring our parents also is honoring God. Yet there is no greater honor than desiring to be more like Him. He is worthy of our praise! As soldiers of God, Christians should walk upright morally, as representatives of the Lord. Additionally, when our parents bring us into this world, they give us a solid reputation. We cannot improve on that reputation, but by our actions, can ruin it. We honor our parents and honor God through our lives.
Do you want to resemble your Father? If you want to be a chip off the old block, know that God is the Ancient of Days, the Rock of Ages, the Chief Cornerstone and our Foundation!
For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
John 5:22-23
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