“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” – Romans 12:9-13
LIGHT FOR NOW: Jesus in the four gospels also spoke of honouring or esteeming Him which is equivalent to honouring God, the Father.
In John chapter 5, Jesus also taught in reference to honour and in this instance, it was in regard to Himself (that is, His person), it reads “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. I receive not honour from men. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (John 5:23, 41 and 44). In chapter 8 of John’s synoptic, Jesus taught similarly, it reads “Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:” (John 8:49 and 54). In chapter 12 verse 26, Jesus echoed again saying, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour” (John 12:26). So, the question is, what was Jesus’ focus in the above cited text? Jesus’ focus or emphasis in the above cited text was for them to honour the son, which is the same as honouring the father. No wonder when Jesus was to teach the disciples the character of God in the Lord’s Prayer, he stated by saying “Our father who hath in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). The word “hallowed” here is the word “hagiazo” which is from the root word “hagios” and it means sacred, holy, and separate.
Recall, one of the implications of the word honour means to treat as sacred. In other words, when Jesus said “hallowed be thy name”, Jesus was actually honouring the name of the father; He treated the father’s name with respect, He treated His name separate from other names. So when he said “hallowed be your name”, what he also means by implication is “I honour your name”. so he honoured the father’s name by treating it separate from other names and by treating it as sacred. So, Jesus taught us to honour his name which is synonymous to honouring the father’s name. I honour the name of Jesus. I honour Jesus and I honour the father. Hallelujah!
INSTRUCTION: Let your words and deeds show that you honour Jesus.
PRAYER: Father I declare that I honor you in this world in my words and deeds, in Jesus Name. Amen.
QUOTE: The believer in Christ is to honor Christ, not just in words but also in deeds.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: JOHN CHAPTER 5; EVENING: JOHN CHAPTER 8
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 