Dedicate One To The Ladies
Happy Mothers Day! In the Bible, placing a value on someone is referred to with the word timaw (tim-ah’-o). It is most commonly translated as honor. It is important for us to understand this word and its meaning. Why? You cannot love someone, who you do not value.
Honor Is Commanded
First we have to understand that honoring others is not optional. Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” To esteem others above your self is a plain command of scriptures. Some call it humility, others a servant’s heart, but it is the direct opposite of pride. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
Jesus set the example for us. He prayed for those who persecuted him, rather than take vengeance. He blessed those who cursed him, rather than return insult for insult. As wicked people encompassed him hanging on the cross, spit on his open wounds and mocked, he prayed, “God forgive them, they know not what they do.” Jesus has set the example and we have been commanded to honor others above ourselves. When we do not honor enemies, it is a sin. How much more wrong is it when it is your mother?
Honor Is Appropriate
Not only is honor commanded, it is also appropriate. 1 Peter 2:17 says, “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” The word translated “proper respect” here is the same Greek world (timaw) for honor. There is a proper respect or appropriate honor that is due everyone. Some deserve honor because of their position. They are king or president, a judge or senator. But not only do the leaders deserve honor. All deserve the honor due any human being, because they are a person created in the image of God.
Genesis 9:6 says, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.” Capital punishment was established here by God, because murder was an attack on the image of God. It was an assault on God when his creation in His image was assaulted. “What you do to the least of these, you have done it unto me.” Each person deserves respect, because they are made in the image of God.
The respect for human dignity and worth is almost completely faded from society. A nation that allows thousands of babies to be killed in the mother’s womb, which ships its elderly off to “homes” to be neglected and forgotten by the families, which creates human embryos for the sole purpose of doing deadly tests on them, has lost its respect for human worth. Society too often esteems the value of the individual based upon what they have to offer, rather than who they are. We honor people because they are rich, attractive, athletic, powerful, popular, or offer us something. If a baby, old person, or physically or mentally challenged person has nothing to contribute to society in the world’s eyes, we find excuses to justify neglecting or killing them. We dehumanize them. God, however, does not discriminate or show favoritism, but rather he looks at us all with love. He values us because we are made in His image. Jesus paid the highest price, his very life, to save each of us, if we will accept it.
Therefore we should treat each person with human dignity, even if they don’t offer it to us. Jesus treated His enemies with honor. As they cursed him, Jesus died to save them. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “…give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” When we debate with someone about the truth of the Gospel and the hope we have in Christ, we need to treat the person attacking us for our faith with respect. We should treat them with the dignity due a human, even if they don’t afford us such treatment. Be kind to the rude, gentle to the harsh, and loving to those who hate you. Follow Jesus in treating sinners with honor. It is appropriate to honor your mother, because she is your mother and is created in the image of God.
Honor Is Owed
Romans 13:7 says, “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” This verse is talking about government officials. Now if the government deserves honor, how much more your mother? She has done much more for you. You owe her.
Your mother carried you for nine months, gave up her figure for you, nursed and fed you, changed your diaper hundreds of times, lost sleep for you again and again, held you, loved you, sacrificed for you, taught you, protected you, encouraged you, comforted you, healed you, and always paid for you. If you anyone in this world deserves your respect, it is your mother. You owe her your full complete honor. Give everyone what you owe them.
Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Gentlemen, you owe your wives. She carried your children. She got up with the baby more, changed diapers more, fed them more, and sacrificed more, so that you can have children. And above all that, she is your wife. She entered into the holy covenant of marriage with you. You should honor your vows and her service. Maintain those vows with an honor for her and the covenant you entered with her. Husbands, you owe your wife honor.
Honor Is Blessed
One thing you can always count on with God is that when you obey his command, do the appropriate thing and give people what you owe them; He will bless you for it. 1 Peter 3:7 says, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” The word translated as respect is our word also translated as honor in other passages (timaw). Husbands, if you don’t honor your wife, God will not hear your prayers. If you want the blessing of being heard by God, you must honor your wife.
When Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for not honoring their mother and father, it was because they were not taking care of them in their old age. Instead they were devoting their money to a self-serving and self-glorifying savings account to be donated to the temple upon their death. So not caring for their elderly parents needs was not honoring them according to Jesus. Likewise, not honoring your wife starts as thoughts in your heart, but is more than that. It’s not valuing your wife enough to meet her needs. Husbands, if you want God will hear your prayers, then honor her above yourself and take care of her. Spoil her, bless her, comfort her, rejuvenate her, provide for her, and love her. Buy your wife a nice gift, praise her, complement her, surprise her, give her a break from the kids, give her time alone to relax, do something unselfish, take her out to dinner, buy her some new clothes, do something to honor her today. You will be blessed if you do.
Not just dad, but children should honor their mother, too. Ephesians 6:2-3 says, “Honor your father and mother’— which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” If you want to be blessed with a happy and long life, then honor your parents. Your mother deserves your honor. If you won’t treat your mother who gave you life, and cared for you with honor, who will you honor? If a young man won’t honor his mother, later he won’t honor his wife. If a young lady won’t honor her father, later she won’t honor her husband. Show your mother the honor that is due her and you will receive a blessing from God.
Mom has earned it.
In proverbs 31, it describes the woman of virtue. At the end of the proverb it gives the family some instructions. Proverbs 31:28-31 says, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
The city gate was the place where people in ancient times met to conduct civil affairs. It was the ancient equivalent of the town square. This verse is telling us to publicly praise our wives and mothers. Give her the reward she has earned. Bless her and honor her. Let her works bring her praise. What is really cool is that if you obey God’s command to give your mother the honor you owe her, you will be blessed yourself.
posted by Evangelist @ 5:51 AM
<< Home