The Currency of Honor- Honoring God, Honoring Self (January 21st Lesson 2)
- Yewande Olapade
- Jan 22, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 26, 2023
Winter 2023 Table Talk
It is the second week of our Table Talk and here we are, sitting on Zoom, talking about the currency of honor in our relationship with God. Mark the two words honor and relationship. Honoring God is not based on 'doing' but based on your relationship with Him because it is already 'done' in Christ. Your 'doing' is not what earns His love. His love is available to All.
You only engage what you value. You only find what you value. You only honor what you value. And many times, Only what you value, finds You. You only attract what you value. You only find what you attract. And many times, Only what you value is attracted to You. That sounds like a chain of reactions. This week we look at honoring God through the lens of two people- One of them lived while other people in the world died – Noah; and the second One disappear and did not see death, while every other people in the world lived and then died- Enoch.
Noah found value in God, honored God in obedience, worship, service, and devotion, and then God honored Noah and God was attracted to Noah. Enoch found value in God, walked with God in quietness, and Enoch was no more human. He escaped death. A key thing to know about God is that He value Himself, a whole lot! Feel free to call Him Father of Respect! Or in my Nigerian language, call Him Respect Baba! And God interact with people that value Him. God only gravitate towards those who think He is a big Deal. God is not an attention seeker like those Insta bloggers, but He want to be the focus of your devotion.
Honoring God is standing in awe or dread of Him (HOLY FEAR), serving God with a plate of RESPECT and OBEDIENCE to His instructions, in a room full of His LOVE!
Things fall apart- that is what describes Genesis 6:1-5. As number of humans grow, as the number of daughters/girls rise, the son of God- divine being, decided to marry humans and gave birth to half-human half-angel--- Okay, that is not the way the bible puts it, but they birthed weird human beings. Human acted in dishonor towards the creator. Human value relationship with Humans over God’s.
So, what is dishonor? Or what does dishonor feel like?
Have you ever had a friend you liked a lot and trusted with your secrets and then he/she spills it not only in your face, but even on social media? Dishonor feels like wickedness. When you invest honor into someone or something, and you are paid back with dishonor, you feel pains. That is exactly how God described the situation. The people abused cultural norms, master plans, principles, and acted in a degrading manner towards God. Dishonor does not fulfill contractual obligations. Dishonor feels like unbelief. Dishonor shows lack of self-value displayed in words, acts, ethics, and values.
What is self-honor?
God values Himself and so should we. Self-honor is treating yourself as a valuable entity that you are. According to Dr. Nathanel Brandon, self-honor can be collapsed into six pillars:
Self-consciousness- being aware that you are important and behave according to your ability.
Self-acceptance- valuing yourself, speaking for yourself, you have the right to exist and become.
Self-responsibility- knowing that no one is coming to save you, you are responsible for your life and happiness.
Self-assertiveness- honoring your wants, needs, value, and seeking to express them in a meaningful way.
Living purposefully- using your powers and resources to achieve goals you set for yourself.
Personal Integrity- behaving in a way that matches your ideals and conviction. Be Proud of who you see in the mirror.
In the next coming weeks, we shall touch more on these as the honor you give others is a function of the honor you give your own self.
How did Noah show Honor?
Being a person of honor means you value not only human but even animals. God knew He could entrust Noah with not only the job of building the ark but keeping the animal safe. No wonder the animals – raven and dove showed Noah honor. After the ark was built, a storm came that grounded the whole earth for many days. Noah and family were safe in the ark but the whole earth was covered with water. Then, Noah sent the raven, the bird couldn’t find a place to perch so the raven returned to Noah. Then after some days, Noah sent the dove, the bird notice plants were beginning to grow, plucked an olive as a message. Honor updates! Noah sent the dove after some days but the bird never returned. That was a clear message, I can perch, the ground is dry, it is time to come out of the ark, I repeat, it is time to come out of the ark. What an intelligence? The Honor you give to subordinate motivate them to act in an intelligent manner. These animals understood the dynamic principle of honor. I wonder if this show of honor gave dove the assignment/honor to be the representation of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Noah spent time to build the ark- honor, Noah spent time to understand the ark specification- honor, Noah kept his mouth shut and listen to God- honor. Noah prioritized a time specific assignment- honor, Noah obeyed without complaints, questioning, or enhancements- honor, Noah built the ark using a skill that he may have needed to learn in a short time- honor, Noah spent his treasure to purchase the materials or where do you think that came from? – honor, and after many days in the ark, upon coming out to an empty earth, Noah raised an altar of worship- honor. Who is at the center of your attention?
Keep in mind!
When people who have results in an area are talking, listen!
When people who won a battle, you are fighting are talking, listen!
When people who have lessons over a topic are talking, listen!
When people who have borne stripe over a pain you are having are talking, listen!
When people who are productive in a space are talking, listen!
When people who already arrived where you are going are talking, listen!
When people who are going where you are going are talking, listen!
When people who have an instruction on a topic are talking listen!
When people who have results in an area are talking listen!
Listening is honoring.
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