Honour God!

“Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honour me I will honour, but those who despise me will be disdained.” 1 Samuel 2:30

God honours those who honour Him. He gives chances to those who open their hearts to Him. In other words, God, who is gracious and merciful, doesn’t allow people to take Him for granted. God cannot be mocked. (Galatians 6:7)

A new believer asked a crucial question: “Do you think people persist in their evil ways, hoping that God’s mercy will prevent harsh consequences?” His friend explained, “It is because they are blind and helpless.” New believer added, “What about Christians to whom God gave the ability to discern right from wrong and whom God empowered with the Holy Spirit to teach and guide them towards righteousness?”

Children of God must learn to honour God and not take Him for granted. The privilege of being called sons and daughters of God doesn’t mean we should consider God our equal.

“A son honours his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honour due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the LORD Almighty. “It is you priests who show contempt for my name. “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?” Malachi 1:6

God will go to great lengths to benefit us if we honour Him and keep His commandments.

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Some of you are thinking—these are a bunch of scriptures from the Old Testament! We now live under grace! In Matthew 15:8, Jesus emphatically states, “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” This clear observation serves as a timeless reminder of the danger in superficial devotion, a pitfall many still grapple with today.

What Jesus implies is profound: mere verbal acknowledgment doesn’t constitute genuine love, faith, or reverence for God. It’s a matter of the heart, an internal disposition that goes beyond religious rituals and ceremonies. It isn’t good enough to acknowledge there is God, but to honour Him.

“But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.“ James 2:18-19

Consider those who attend church services, perhaps lifting their hands in worship on Sundays, yet live contrary lives throughout the week. This behaviour, as Jesus points out, is akin to honouring God with lips but harbouring a heart distant from Him. It raises a critical question about the authenticity of our worship.

The risk of falling into a ritualistic approach to faith is not a new phenomenon. Historical religious practices often involve routines that, if not grounded in sincere devotion, become empty gestures. Jesus urges us to scrutinize the alignment of our hearts with our outward expressions of worship. Confession, for instance, loses its significance when it becomes a mechanical process, detached from genuine repentance and transformation. Similarly, as I was reminded on Tuesday, the frequency of communion should not be a matter of religious obligation but a reflection of the reverence we hold for the sacrifice of Christ.

According to Jesus, the core issue, according to Jesus, is prioritization of heart. As Pastor Sam often says, “the heart of the issue is the heart.” When people honour God with their lips but neglect His Word, their hearts reveal a misalignment. Seeking approval from the world rather than God, they become ensnared in a superficial faith that lacks substance.

It’s a widespread problem today. Many claim to be Christians but struggle to distinguish the words of Jesus from misguided ideologies. This confusion is amplified in the age of social media, where individuals, perhaps well-intentioned, misquote and misinterpret Scriptures, exposing their ignorance.

True worship involves more than verbal affirmations. It necessitates action. Thankfulness, according to God, goes beyond mere words; it is manifested in obedience to His Word. Loving God requires more than verbal professions; it demands adherence to His commands.

Hiding one’s salvation, being a clandestine believer, is an indirect admission of shame. A true understanding of honour means embracing change and making continuous adjustments to align with God’s will. This transformative journey knows no age limit; even at 90, a devoted heart remains in a perpetual state of change and adjustment, a testament to God’s ongoing work within us.

In conclusion, let us reflect on the essence of our worship. Are our hearts aligned with our words, or do we merely honour God with our lips? The challenge is to move beyond superficial expressions and embrace a worship that emanates from a heart wholly devoted to God.

Kay Alli