The Honor System

The problem with the perception of many Christian leaders from both inside and outside of the church today is the intense desire and demand for many who serve in ministry and leadership to be honored and revered. When we walk with an sense of entitlement, we can forget the servanthood aspect of ministry and begin to operate in pride. We have seen enough high-profile celebrities in ministry. When we decrease, He increases.

The love of God can be demonstrated through a smile, hug, or kind word. Many today are searching for a love that can only be experienced through an encounter with the One True Love, the Lord our God. When we are promoted to positions of higher service, we should watch our words and deeds even more closely. Dance ministers should not have "diva" reputations or be labeled difficult to deal with. We must not be overheard criticizing other dancers regarding skill level or anointing. Because we have been rejected and challenged concerning where our gifts fit in the contemporary church, we should be even more sensitive to the struggles of others.

Yes, we must give honor to whom it is due. The problem arises when we expect to be honored, and the demand to be celebrated invites offenses come in to cause division. We must not seek the high place, but stay on our faces before God. People may select to honor us for various motives and reasons, but when the Lord chooses to honor us, we can count it a true blessing.

1 Chronicles 29:12 (NKJV)
"Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all."

Luke 14:7-9 (NKJV)
So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place."

John 8:54 (NKJV)
"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.'"

Romans 12:9-10 (NKJV)
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another."