Honor gives recognition to the work of someone other than ourselves. It is placing significance, importance or value on what they have done or accomplished. It places them above us in a position that commands respect for what they have done or who they are.
To honor someone requires us, first and foremost, to be humble. We literally bow before them in recognition for what they have done for us or what they have contributed to our lives and to our well-being. What they have done has cost them something personally – perhaps they have had to make a sacrifice and the price is more than we can or are able to pay them for what they have done for us.
Honoring someone is not always easy. Pride gets in the way. Self-importance or not wanting to stand aside while others move to the front of the line often complicates things. It is not easy to give credit to someone when I am obligated to them for what they have done. When we honor someone, we make them look good – often at our expense – and that at times is not easy. Who wants to admit their shortcomings or inadequacies to someone who is esteemed.
The Psalmist wrote, “Honor Him for He is your Lord!” Not a very complicated statement. The problem is not understanding the statement that gives so many Christians a problem. It is in applying it. Honoring or bowing down before God is difficult. Pride gets in the way and becomes a problem for many.
Pride is what keeps us from serving Him and loving others as Jesus loved them. Pride is what keeps us from being submissive to Him when we refuse to serve Him in our churches and witness His saving grace to others who are lost and dying.
By Michael A. Guido, D.D