Just as there are natural laws such as the law of gravity, so there are spiritual laws. If a law, such as gravity, is respected, people will be unharmed. When we obey spiritual laws, people will live in a secure community. For example when we honour those who are in positions of authority, we will attract God's favour. Unfortunately we live in an age where we have all but lost all sense of the meaning of honour. Sometimes we are stepping off the 'balcony of honour' and wonder why we are experiencing hard landings in life!
Dishonour or treating people without a sense of value and esteem closes doors of opportunity. Even Jesus could not do any miracles in His own hometown because the inhabitants of His town treated Him with dishonour. They said "Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary...? And are not His sisters here with us? So they were offended at Him....Now He could do no mighty work there..." (Mark 6:3-5) The opportunity for miracles passed them by because they expressed dishonour toward the very One who wanted to bless them.
We can learn to honour authorities when we see how God Himself who is the authority over all earthly authorities, chooses to clothe the repentant sinner with honour. He first honours us. He first loved us. He first esteems us. He chooses to "remember our sins no more." He honours the finished work of His Son. Because He honours, we are empowered to honour. Honour is to exercised toward all peoples including those who govern over us - whether we like those in authority or not. Our preferences have nothing to do with the law of honour. Romans 13:1-2 says '
"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities...the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." It can become a pastime ridiculing and bad mouthing authority figures (as is often done in Australia) but all that leads to the erosion of blessing and favour.
The same law of honour applies to family life.The Bible promises that "it will go well for you and you will live long on the earth" (Eph.6:2-3) when children honour their parents. If you want favour in your life begin to honour your parents instead of judging them.
Similarly, believers are instructed "to esteem" or honour their church leaders. (1 Thess.5:13) Sometimes believers can experience frustration because they sense that they are 'being held back from expressing their ministry'. Perhaps this frustration happens because they are not honouring their oversight. You may not agree with every decision that is made but learn to speak honour and blessing to those above you. Then you will experience both the peace and the favour of God.
This blog is adapted from a message called "Honours Reward" by Tarun Stevenson (30/11/14). Tarun Stevenson is Assistant Pastor at The Vine church in Logan City, Queensland, Australia.
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