Do Not “Crave” To Be Honored!

Matthew 23:6-8 says, “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.” Are you going after a seat of honor on earth for man’s approval or a seat in heavenly place near to the Father’s heart? 

John 12:42-43 says, “42Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” Many of those in a position of religious leadership in Jesus’ day believed on Him, but they did not want to lose their position influence and authority. They were chasing the honor of men rather than the honor of God! We should never care more about a seat on earth than we do a seat in heaven, and that seat is not about having supernatural authority, but it is about being near the heart of the Father!

Mark 7:6-8 says, “And He said to them, ‘Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:  ’This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men. Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.’” You can honor God through the praises of your lips, but do you honor God with your heart? Your actions truly prove the motives, intent and character of your heart. He was quoting Isaiah 29:13, which says (NLT), “And so the Lord says, ‘These people say they are mine. They honor 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’”, which means that people teach manmade ideas as commands from God. The true indicator that you honor religion above God and people is when you make up rules through tradition that form grievous burdens on other people, turning them away from Christ instead of pointing them to Him. You rob God of His glory through self-righteousness in trying to glorify yourself. 

John 5:22-23 says, “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” The Father positions us in a place of honor, not for us to become puffed up in pride, but so He can be honored in and through us. It is about giving Him the glory He so overwhelmingly deserves! If we honor Christ, we honor the Father. 

John 12:26 says, “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” To be honored by the Father, we must serve Christ, not out of a place of obligation, but out of a place of relationship, love and sacrifice.