Honour

“In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honour the Son, just as they honour the Father. Anyone who does not honour the Son is certainly not honouring the Father who sent him.”
John 5:22-23 NLT

Do we honour God? Not just our Heavenly Father, but His Son Jesus as well? These are relevant questions in today’s cynical and sceptical societies. For most people, God and Jesus are considered irrelevant and just a part of history. In our “enlightened” days they consider themselves too sophisticated to believe in anything, that they classify as supernatural or superstitious. But Jesus was clear in His discourse with the Jewish leaders following the episode with the man healed at the Pool. He was saying that one day everyone will honour Him, the Son of God, just as they honour His Father, God Himself. And Jesus spelt it out for the Jewish leaders. He told them that as the Son of God, with the absolute authority to judge, he should be honoured. But if He wasn’t then they were guilty of not honouring the Father also. Isaiah prophesied about those who declared their honour of God but failed to believe it in their hearts. “And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote”” (Isaiah 29:13).

The UK publishes occasional Lists of Honours, for people who have done something outstanding for the people in their communities. So to the list might be added a surgeon, who has dedicated his life to fixing people in a third world country. Or a politician who has selflessly served his constituents. We might find a charity fund raiser or actress who is a patron of a mental health charity, a policeman or a foster parent. People are honoured because we value the contribution they have made to society. So how much more should we honour God because of all that He has done for mankind? There really is no comparison with the UK Honours List.

Sadly, many people in our societies fail to honour God. One phrase that falls far short of honouring God is referring to Him as “the old man upstairs”. Even we Christians fall down on this one, becoming so familiar with God that He becomes to us God All-matey, rather than God Almighty. We fail to treat Him with the honour, awe and respect that he deserves. Forgive us, God, for the way we treat You, we pray.

The Bible tells us who we should honour apart from God. Of great significance is our parents. Deuteronomy 5:16, “Honour your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.“ Sadly, we see many occasions when this commandment is abused or forgotten. We should also honour those who lead our churches and fellowships. 1 Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine“.

We pilgrims need to be very clear about honouring God. Jesus considered it important enough to include the words “hallowed be thy name” in the prayer He taught His disciples. We honour God by keeping our lives pure. By treating others with respect. When the world around us tells us to “get your own back”, we turn the other cheek, in honour of the person who has wronged us, and Jesus who taught us what we should do. As Christians we are salt and light in our communities, beacons of hope, and showing those around us examples of the way we should treat God and others.

Dear Father God. Please forgive us for the way we fail to bow our knees in reverent worship to You the awesome and holy God whom we serve. And we pray too for those around us, that they too will come to worship You, giving You Your rightful place in our societies, in our churches and in our families. In Jesus’ name. Amen.