Do we have the right mindset for submitting to God? As Christians, we should always go back to the basics to make sure our mindset is correct. We discussed last lesson that we need to recognize that God is Sovereign. The Second Step of Submitting to God: Honor God.
Here are the questions for discussion:
- What does it mean to honor God?
- What does scripture say about honoring God?
- What does Jesus say about honoring God?
- What are the benefits of honoring God?
- How do you bring honor to God?
What does it mean to honor God?
Definition of Honor
- The esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation.
- Reverence; veneration; or any act by which reverence and submission are expressed, as worship paid to the Supreme Being. King James Version Dictionary
In the first definition, the key word is “worth”. Does the person we honor deserve that position? Do you know God is worthy of honor? Have you thought of it?
When we honor someone, we reverence them by our attitudes and actions. As we see in this definition, we submit.
God has created everything, sustained us, loved us, and died for us. He deserves our honor.
What does scripture say about honoring God?
Honor God with Your Heart
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.“
“The exhortation to love “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” indicates the totality of one’s commitment in the purest and noblest intentions of trust and obedience toward God. The words taken together mean that the people are to love God with their whole selves.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament
Honor God with Obedience
Joshua 1:8 NIV “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Reading God’s Word is a high priority. If we don’t make it a regular habit, how will we know what God wants us to do? We honor God when we obey Him. It shows we have trust in His guidance.
Honor God with Your Bodies
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
When Christ died and arose again, the temple was no longer the indwelling of God. The Holy Spirit now indwells the believer and we have become the temple of God.
When we really think about our bodies as a place for the Holy Spirit, it can be overwhelming. That’s good. We then can change our mindset about how we take care of ourselves and abstain from sins that dirty the temple.
Honor God with Thanksgiving
Isaiah 12:4-5 NIV “In that day you will say:
‘Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.'”
Think of all God has done for us. How does it make us feel? Thankful, joyful, relieved?
When we do something for someone and they forget to thank us. How do we feel? Angry, or upset? Now, let’s give a good reason to thank God. This honors what He does and lets Him know we appreciate it.
What does Jesus say about honoring God?
Honor the Son like the Father
John 5:23 NIV “that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.”
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. God is a trinity and made up of three persons in one. Each are God and have the same attributes. If we honor one, we honor all.
Honor God with Our Witness
Matthew 5:16 NIV “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
When we speak to others about Jesus Christ and what He has done for us, we are honoring God. Jesus told us we are to witness all over the world.
Honor God With Our Service
John 12:26 NIV “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
Whenever we serve at church, pray for someone, and help others we are honoring God. These are the things He wants us to be doing to expand His Kingdom on earth.
What are the benefits of honoring God?
Serving God–God Honors Us
John 12:26 NIV “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
When we serve Christ in our lives and commit everything we do for Him, God honors what we have done. Not anly that, but we will be with Jesus Christ.
God Blesses Us When We Are Humble
James 4:10 NIV “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
When we submit to God’s way, we are humbling ourselves before Him. Letting Him know we cannot do it ourselves and this honors Him. In response, He lifts us up.
When We Honor Our Parents
Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
God has set our parents over us for training in the Lord’s way. We are to respect and honor them all of our lives. God blesses us for that.
How do you bring honor to God?
There are many ways of honoring God. Here are some ways of honoring God.
Honor Jesus Christ
1 Peter 3:15 NIV “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
Honor Our Government
Romans 13:1 NIV “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Honor Older People
Proverbs 16:31 NIV “Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained in the way of righteousness.”
Generosity to the Needy
Proverbs 14:31 NIV “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
Honor God’s Creation
Genesis 2:15 NIV “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Honor Everyone
1 Peter 2:17 NIV “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
Conclusion
One thing for sure we can count on, when submitting to God. is His way is best. As we are asked as Christian to honor someone we are not really wanting to honor, we follow God’s leading because of His vast knowledge.
He will not ask us to honor those who do not deserve it. We are not expected to follow or honor someone who wants us to go against God’s law.
Recognizing God is Sovereign and deserves all of our honor, is a part of the proper mindset we need to submit to Him. If we are having problems submitting, maybe we need to go back to the basics. Are we in tune with who God is?
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