Understanding True Honour

 

Familiarity has become the order of the day for many, and sadly, this includes Christians. You know how you treat or relate with someone because you are now familiar with them? That's how many people treat or relate with others.

Many do not value others, the relationship they have with others (that is if they have any) and the uniqueness of others, and as a result do not communicate true Honour towards others.
 

When you get familiar with others you loose your respect, love, awe, and honour for them which will make you blind to their values and potentials and in turn not partake of their unique grace.
 

Familiarity is a cancer that is eating too deep into the Body and must be rooted out, and it has to begin with you and I.

Everyone is unique in God's own infinite Wisdom, the more reason why we have to Honour all men. I love the way Message Bible version puts 1 Peter chapter 2 at verse 17 "Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government".
 

Amplified says - Show respect for all men [treat them honorably]. Love the brotherhood (the Christian fraternity of which Christ is the Head). Reverence God. Honor the emperor.
It is clearly stated that our Honour is not restricted or limited only to fellow Brethren. The Words says ALL MEN.

True Honour is placing genuine, unconditional, and dignifying value on others for who and what they are, what they represent and their uniqueness by showing respect and love to or for them. Most people do not know that anything money can buy, Honour can pay for it and also keep it. When we place others first, esteem them better than ourselves(not inferiority complex), and serve others genuinely, we are conferring Honour upon them.

The Lord Jesus taught us True Honour and enjoyed the same. While He walked the Earth, He had disciples (also known as the Apostles), and followers. Amongst the followers were three siblings: Lazarus, Martha and Mary. These three communicated genuine Honour so much that Jesus found solace in making their home His resort after a long day of preaching and ministering in Jesusalem.
You see, true Honour follows selfless love, and that was what those three siblings had for Jesus.

 

Read: 5 Lessons from the Life of Onesimus

Our communication of Honour to others can make them become so involved in our affairs. Jesus said in the 26th verse of chapter 12 of the book of John,"...If anyone serves me, the Father will honour Him".
 

Even God honours us as men. He confers Honour on us when we Honour Him in obedience, love, and faith.

Honour is a non-negotiable factor for us as children of God and light that we are. This one wordless identification we have, that is identification without word but not without a voice.

Expressing Honour: The Widow of Zarephath

The widow of Zarephath is a good example of true honour. Let's see what transpired between her and the Prophet, Elijah in 1st Kings 17: 10 - 16

 

"So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake FIRST and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. (emphasis mine) For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah."
 

Did you notice the emphasis on the "First". She had to put Prophet Elijah first before her and her son. Not a wise thing to do, the people of the world would say, but this is the way of our Father, God. The widow put the need of the prophet before hers, and see what happened. God showed up for her and her household.

We do not honour others for what we can get from them. No! Instead its from a point of meekness and an understanding of our nature in Christ, cause as He is so are we. If Jesus is so meek and lowly to honour us then we should do the same.
There's no true Honour without selfless, passionate love for others.
Little wonder the two commandments Jesus gave us which He said hangs all the law and prophets states: Love(Honour inclusive) the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. The second is like unto it. Love your neighbour as yourself".
We can see that 'Honour is a Component or an Ingredient of Divinve Love'.

Conclusion

We do have to change the way we perceive and view people by placing others before us. We should love others genuinely and unconditionally, and show it in the way we think of them and communicate with them. This is because true honour is one of the 'Currencies' of this Kingdom. It is a voice in this Kingdom.
Kings speak and receive Honour. God demands it from us. We are meant to serve it to others cause true Honour is conferred not usurped.

 

I urge you to begin to speak the language of Honour and spend the currency of Honour. Shalom!