Monday, 9th January 2023
Pastor Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: HONOR ALL MEN
THEME SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 2:17
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Not all men are honorable. Must we honor them?
- Who are some of the people we should honor in our lives consistently?
I would like to bring two important truths to your attention today. The first truth is that every person’s greatest need is to be valued. As a result, men and women are doing so much – changing the way they look, amassing properties and in some cases pretending to be what they are not – all because they want to be valued by others. The second truth is that good people treat people well, lovely people love people, and kind people are always kind to everyone. The same is the case with honorable people. You can only treat others because of who you are.
Christ has made us honorable people (highly esteemed people). Because of who we are, we are to honor all men (treat them with dignity). If we fail to treat people with dignity we are by our actions saying that we are also worthless (without honor). The proof of who you are is evident in how you treat others - both deserving and undeserving, strangers and friends, educated and uneducated, rich and poor.
So then, weak people tend to be abusive and harsh but great people are gentle to all. This is why David said to God, “…your gentleness has made me great” (2 Samuel 22:36).
Let’s look at some people we have to honor at all times:
- Our Parents: The 10 Commandments said we should honor our father and mother. The reason is that God gave them to us. No one chose his/her parents; God did. So let us treat our parents, whom God has given to us, preciously (Ephesians 6:1-2). Our parents may not be the best yet as honorable as God has made us, we have to honor them in every way.
- The King/President/Leaders: There is no power (authority) but that which comes from God (Rom 13:1). If every authority (including those in our homes, workplace, nation, etc.) comes from God, then we must honor them. If we dishonor them we have dishonored God who is the source of those authorities (1 Peter 2:17)
- Servants: Some believers serve in the capacity of servants. Some of the masters of these believers are not kind at all. However, the word of God admonishes that servants honor their masters so that the name of our God is not blasphemed (Ephesians 6:5-7).
- Masters: Some believers are masters, serving as leaders in business or overseeing people we pay for their service. Others are masters in their homes (as husbands). Scripture admonishes (Ephesians 6:9) that we should serve as masters with goodwill, honoring the least of people. We are to avoid threats and abuse, knowing that we also have a Master (Jesus Christ our Lord) to whom we will answer someday.
May it always be said that Christians are wonderful people because of how we treat others. Glory to God!
FURTHER READING – 1 Timothy 6:1, Ephesians 6:1-9
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How is your relationship with your parents? Are they happy with you? If not, is the problem a result of your faith or a pain you caused? If it is hurt/pain are you willing to take the responsibility of ensuring reconciliation?
- How do you treat your spouse (if you have any) and people under you? Do you honor them all?
- Would you say that you are gentle or abusive in your criticism of your political leaders and community leaders?
CONFESSION
Precious Father, thank you for your instructions to honor all men this day. I affirm that by your word I have received grace to honor all those whom you bring my way. I choose this day to be at peace with all, because of who I am in Christ. I am treating every man fairly and with all sincerity of heart, bearing no grudge. Glory to God.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Genesis 17; Genesis 18; Psalm 19; Psalm 20; Psalm 21; Matthew 11
Comments powered by CComment