People of Honor Who Honor Others
Ray and I recently listened to an interview with best selling, Pulitzer Prize winning historian David McCullough. His subject was his biography of founding father and second president, John Adams. Adams is certainly not the best known of our founding fathers. His story has been overshadowed by George Washington, who preceded him as president, and Thomas Jefferson, who served immediately after Adams.
McCullough’s 2001 book is rectifying that. When McCullough gave that interview, his book was in its 48th printing. The interview was recorded at the Library of Congress before an audience of U.S. senators and congressmen. McCullough gave each of them a signed copy.
McCullough respects John Adams for many reasons. One reason is that he acted with honor. For example, America came close to fighting a war with France during Adams’ one term as president. McCullough believes that Adams’ unpopular efforts to prevent that war likely contributed to his failure to be reelected to a second term. Adams decided to act with honor instead of doing what would have been popular politically.
Honor—that’s a word we don’t hear very often. When I heard McCullough mention it, I wondered what the Bible says about honor. Perhaps the first verse that comes to mind is Ephesians 6:2 which instructs us to “Honor your father and mother.” Of course, the Bible also teaches us to honor God and His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus said:
For not even the Father judges anyone,
but He has given all judgment to the Son,Â
so that all will honor the Son just as they honor the Father.
The one who does not honor the Son
does not honor the Father who sent Him.
John 5:22-23
Surprisingly, the Bible also tells us that God honors people.
. . . for those who honor Me I will honor . . .
1 Samuel 2:30
We are to honor those who are older.
You shall stand up in the presence
of the grayheaded and honor elders,
and you shall fear your God; I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:32
We are to honor God with our possessions.
Honor the Lord from your wealth,
And from the first of all your produce . . .
Proverbs 3:9
We are not to honor ourselves.
Better is one who is lightly esteemed and has a servant,
Than one who honors himself and lacks bread.
Proverbs 12:9
We honor God when we are gracious to the poor.
But one who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
Proverbs 14:31
Humility precedes honor.
The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.
Proverbs 15:33
Honor must be from the heart.
This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
Matthew 15:8
We are to give special honor to fellow believers.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;
give preference to one another in honor . . .
Romans 12:10
However, we must give everyone the honor that is due to them.
Pay to all what is due them:
tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom;
respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.
Romans 13:7
How much nicer the world would be if we all acted with honor in our own lives and if we honored others.
Honor is both a noun and a verb. Each of our children needs to learn many aspects of its meaning. He or she needs to:
- Have a good name and a good reputation
- Be chaste and pure.
- Practice ethical conduct and have integrity.
Honor should be part of their own character and also be something they do for others. They need to learn how to:
- Treat others with admiration and respect.
- Give special recognition to others.
- Keep their commitments to others.
And our children need to see us being people of honor and also giving honor to others—in person and in all our electronic communication.
Now to the King eternal, immortal,Â
invisible, the only God,
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17