Holding Others in High Regard

A few years ago we attended my nephew Eric’s wedding. He married the girl he had waited and prayed for, for 30 years, Alana. It was a joy to attend a wedding that centered around their Savior, Jesus Christ. Throughout the wedding, reception and groom’s dinner the evening before, Christ was shared and it was evident to all that He was top priority in both Eric and Alana’s life.

As we drove away that night filled with wonderful memories, there was something that captured my heart after the evening of celebration. There was a word that left an impression on me. That word was “honor”. There was an attitude of honor at this very special wedding. Eric and Alana took the time to give honor to their parents, their siblings, and all the special relatives and friends that had impacted their lives and were instrumental in shaping their character. There was sincerity and respect in their words. My thoughts went beyond.

We take time to give honor to others during these special events such as a wedding, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation and other celebrations, but do we take the time to really show consideration, love and respect for those in our lives on a daily basis? Do we highly prize all those people in our lives who we live with, work with, and worship with? Do we give honor and consideration to our neighbor? Do we value and give regard to those individuals who we don’t always agree with? Should we? Yes, because it is an attitude of the heart. It is an outpouring of the contents of our heart. The fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives (the evidence of Christ-likeness) is love, joy, peace, patience and kindness. When we demonstrate each of these characteristics in our lives it brings honor to another— and that is the evidence of Christ at work in our life.

As we see others through the eyes of Christ and have a clear understanding that we are made in His image, it should influence us in how we treat and relate to others. We are to honor one another because of who they are in Christ. It is seeing the other person’s value and worth because they are made in the image of God.

Honoring goes far beyond “giving recognition”. It is the principle of holding someone in high regard, giving them consideration. Giving honor is not recognizing someone for their accomplishments but it has to do with our intrinsic worth— we are made in the image and in the likeness of Christ. God used the word honor when he prescribed to us, the Ten Commandments— “Honor your father and mother.” He must have felt it necessary for living a godly life. When we honor one another it results in harmony, unity and peace— something we are to strive for.

We show honor to another by forgiving, and asking for forgiveness. We show honor by respecting, regarding, appreciating, encouraging and affirming one another. It is taking the time for another, giving full regard for, because you are in effect saying, “you are important to me.”

Honor. Respect. Let’s give these to one another freely and unconditionally because of who we are in Christ.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10

Jeanne Johnson