Honor One Another

1 Corinthians 12:19-26 says, “19If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20But now there are many members, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” 

This is no longer about a person in church leadership having an ego trip and wanting to shove the message of honor down a congregation’s throat simply because he does not feel as though he is getting the respect he deserves. We are to honor every part of the body the same, whether it is the pastor or the first-time visitor. If there is equal honor, we will be loving and considerate towards each other, resulting in us suffering together as well as rejoicing! 

Your past successes or experiences do not entitle you in having superior opinions. We have to exchange the title for the towel. Part of exchanging the title for a towel is honoring everyone with the same honor that is in the room! We should never look down on someone or act like they don’t exist simply because they are not in a position of leadership since we are only seeking for their approval and attention rather than God’s. I have been guilty of reaching out to those in ministry while waking by everyone else. It is not about joining the religious clique, but it is about understanding that we are a kingdom family. We should respect those in authority, both natural and spiritual, but honor should be automatic in the kingdom family. It is being clothed with humility to lift each other up, knowing that every part of the body is vital! 

Romans 13:7-10 says, “7Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. 8Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” 

The main way to honor each other is to love your neighbor as yourself. First of all, you have to love yourself. If you always are hard on yourself, judging, criticizing and condemning, instead of seeing yourself the way God does, it is impossible to love your neighbor. Your love is shown through your actions, and this honor will be displayed through obedience to His commandments. It is not an obedience through enslavement, but it is an obedience through honor. 

Romans 12:9-13 says, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” Being faithfully devoted will equip us to honor one another, which is seen through preferring others over us, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, and practicing hospitality.

1 Timothy 5:17 says, “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.” We are to give honor where honor is due, recognizing those who labor among us. They are not to be disrespected, but they are worthy of more that customary honor.

Matthew 13:57 says, “And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.’” It is amazing how we do not honor anointings we are accustomed to! Miracles would have happened had they honored the anointing upon Jesus Christ! Do not allow your knowledge of someone outside of a religious setting cause you to dishonor the anointing, calling and Word of God poured upon someone’s life. John 15:15 says, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” Jesus’ friendship with His disciples didn’t give them the privilege to mock or criticize who He was or what He did. Instead, it raised them to a level of intimacy to really know the Father’s heart and go deeper in the Spirit.