UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS MEANT BY “HONOR”

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS MEANT BY "HONOR"

"Jesus answered, If I honor Myself, My honor
is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of
whom you say that He is your God" (John 8:54).

"For God commanded, saying ‘Honor you father
and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or
mother, let him be put to death" (Matthew 15:4).

"Does not the potter have power over the clay,
from the same lump to make one vessel for
honor and another for dishonor?" (Romans 9:21).

"And those members of the body which we think
to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater
honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater
modesty, but our presentable parts have no need.
But composed the body, having given greater
honor to that part which lacks it, that there should
be no schism in the body, but that the members
should have the same care for one another.
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer
with it; or if one member is honored, all the
members rejoice with it"
(1 Corinthians 23-26).

The word "honor" is found both in the Old and New Testament but what does it mean? In our Holy Orthodox Church the word "honor" (Hebrew kavod, Greek τιμή (teemee) signifies profound deep and unwavering reverence or respect offered to someone special or something sacred. We honor first of all our Creator God, and He commands that we honor our father and mother. All people are worthy of honor because they are made in the image and likeness of God Who bestowed this inherent value bestowed by our Creator.

When we as fellow human beings acknowledge and respect the divine image in others, we are, in effect, honoring God who created them. The Holy Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans writes, "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another" (Romans 12:10). True honor is not just a word but a way of life, a life of virtue, of self-respect, respect of others and everything which we hold sacred and dear.

First of all we love and honor God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit "from our whole heart, form our whole soul, and from our whole power" (Deuteronomy 6:5). We are to honor our parents, the elderly, (19:30), the church leades, government officials, our spouse, marriage, sacra,ets and divine services, the poor, strangers, holy relics, holy days, especially, the Lord’s Day, and we honor all things blessed by the Church. However, we must understand that giving honor to someone or something is not an abstract concept but involves concrete actions: helping the poor and destitute, acting in righteous and moral conduct, and speaking well of others.

Orthodox Christians understand that "honor" is an indispensable and foundational Christian ethic that guides everyone of us away from self-aggrandizement and towards seeking a life of selfless-love, ministering, and always respect for others. "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17). At the Sacrament of Marriage in the Orthodox Church and specifically at the crowning ceremony and after the priest places the crowns on the heads of the groom and bride, the brief hymn is chanted, "Lord our God, crown them with glory and honor." The crowns allude to the crown of martyrdom, as true Christian marriage involves self-sacrifice, a willingness to bear crosses, and prioritizing God and each other above oneself.

A person who is honorable is a person of dignity, of integrity, of honesty, of faith, of kindness, of compassion, forthright, and righteous. "Honor all people, Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17). As Orthodox Christians, ultimately, our loyalty and obedience is always to our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ and His Divine Gospel. The true believer must be one who acts with faith and courage to glorify Him and not to ever dishonor His Holy Name. The Orthodox Christian’s goal should be to do the will of God and to live as though today is his/her last day on earth. Jesus Himself reminds us, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). This passage explains that a mere vibal acknowledgment of Jesus IS NOT ENOUGH; TRUE SALVATION REQUIRES OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WILL, WHICH IS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH A LIFE OF FAITH AND GOOD WORKS OR WORKS OF LOVE. The verses that follow (Matthew 7:22-23) describe people who will say they performed miracles, cast out demons, and prophesied in Jesus’ name. Yet Jesus will declare, "I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME, YOUR WORKERS OF LAWLESSNESS" (v. 23).

The Christian must always be alert and vigilant because throughout history there have been charlatans and deceivers whose aim has been to take advantage of the trust and innocence of good people. It is therefore necessary to use discernment and good judgment before anyone decides to believe all those who claim to possess great knowledge of the gospel, who proclaim to speak on behalf of God, and who pretend to be devout Christians, who can explain the mysteries that lead to heaven. This is not an exaggeration or hyperbole but a fact. Look at all the millions of Christians outside the Orthodox Church who feel lost, confused, disillusioned, frightened and misled. They are searching to find the Mother Church, the New Testament Church, the Church of the Holy Martyrs, the Church of the Holy Fathers, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, the Authentic Church of Christ which continues to remain loyal and faithful to our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ and not to a self-made Christian leader.

The Orthodox Church has preserved the authentic teaching of our Lord Jeus Christ unadulterated and uncorrupt. Our Holy Church does not need to be reimagined and to be secularized to fit in modern society. The world must always conform to Christ and NOT Christ to the world. Tragically, contemporary heterodox Christian leaders have surrendered to the secular and godless world. The Holy Apostle to the Nations, Saint Paul writes to the Romans, "AND DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD" {Romans 12:2).

Faithful relationship to God changes our relationship to the world (1) We renounce the pretenses of "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4). "Conformed to this world is to be identified with and shaped by the world’s values and pleasures. (2) We are "TRANSFORMED", starting with the inward man, the "mind", by virtue, the keeping of God’s commandments. "Mind" here is more than the rational faculty, it is the HIGHEST FACULTY OF HUMAN NATURE: "THE EYES OF YOUR HEART" ( "NOUS") (Ephesians 1:18), literal translation, by which one sees and comprehends God.

We live out this faithful relationship to God in His Holy and Undivided Church, the body of Christ with (a) humility–contentedness with one;s role (b)) self-control ("to think soberly"), especially control over the sinful passions (c) proper use of spiritual gifts and ministries. Ministry (Diakonia) requires functioning together, fitting into the corporate whole of the Church. Each person has a "measure of faith" and divine gifting. Saint Paul gives seven examples of gifts (Romans 12:6-8): "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us use prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." However, there are many more.

Strive through faith, prayer and fasting to honor our God and Savior Jesus Christ in word, in deed or thought. Amen. [Resources: Orthodox Study Bible)

____________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George